unreel

verb

un·reel | \ ˌən-ˈrēl

unreeled; unreeling; unreels

Definition of unreel

transitive verb

1 : to unwind from a reel

2 : to perform successfully unreeled a 66-yard pass play

3 : reel off sense 2 unreeled five birdies in a row

intransitive verb

1 : to become unwound

2 : to be presented the dress rehearsal unreeled flawlessly

Examples of unreel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anastasia breaks with Grey at the end of the first film, when his sadistic impulses unreel a bit too far for her taste, and the two reconcile in Fifty Shades Darker. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, "Review:Fifty Shades Freed Is a Pleasure. Just Don’t Call It a Guilty One," 9 Feb. 2018 Why Nora has returned now is soon made abundantly clear by Hnath, who cannily unreels one inventive and plausible surprise after another in a text as fast-moving as the original is deliberate. — Eric Marchese, Orange County Register, "‘Doll’s House, Part 2’ opens up a marital can of worms," 17 Apr. 2017 A horizontal trailing wire antenna is unreeled out of the back, sort of like casting a fishing line. — Nathan Hodge, WIRED, "Inside the Air Force’s Secret PsyOps Plane," 27 May 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unreel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.