reel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reelnext
as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point she slipped and, after an out-of-control reel, fell on her backside

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reel

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to spin
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around his mind reeled upon hearing the news that his employer had been indicted for fraud

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stagger
to move forward while swaying from side to side got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of reel
Noun
The musician teased the release with an Instagram reel that included a snippet of the new version. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2026 Sandra Bullock kicked off the reel, playfully alluding to Abdy’s change in employment status. — Marc Malkin, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
Pakistan’s most experienced seamer Mohammad Abbas and Saqib hit the right lengths with the new ball and both struck in their second overs to have Sri Lanka reeling at 12-2. — ABC News, 9 Nov. 2026 The impeachment effort could attract more bipartisan support, since members of both parties are frustrated with Hegseth's handling of the war with Iran and Republicans are reeling from their defeats in the midterm elections. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 9 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
  1. rotation
  2. spin
  3. stagger
  4. roll
  5. swim
  6. weave
  7. wheel
  8. lurch
Noun
  • Heat rookie Ryan Conwell was the first guard used off the bench on Monday after beginning the season out of the rotation.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026
  • During training, Roseberry would spend the first half of his run talking (and sometimes bickering) with Fins, only to reward himself with a pop-heavy playlist for the second half (Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Rosalía were in heavy rotation).
    — Max Berlinger, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • The position was secured thanks to a small battery that was triggered by a small pin at the launch and powered the camera, a spinning motor wheel, and a gyroscope for the task.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But adding an additional constraint to this scenario, the original black hole needs to be spinning at the maximum possible speed.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Cam Johnson staggered with the bench unit on Wednesday instead.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 Nov. 2026
  • While one approach by Spoelstra has been to stagger the minutes of Antetokounmpo and Adebayo — with the Heat not playing a true backup center — even that tact has not solved the inside issues.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • With the game fully in hand, junior center Clara Silva asserted herself in the second half with six straight points to extend TCU’s lead to 68-18 as the Horned Frogs leaned on Silva’s size to punish the Lions’ front court off the pick and roll.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2026
  • On the waterfront at the Mooloolaba Spit, Fish House Steak & Grill jazzes up lobster rolls with a sunshiny yuzu emulsion.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • Oftentimes, the migrants, despite growing up on an island, can’t swim.
    — Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Forecasters caution swimmers to be on alert for dangerous rip currents and only swim near a lifeguard, stay off rock jetties and heed the advice of local officials.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • The fantasy film about a woman (Olivia Colman) who weaves a perfect lover (Alexander Skarsgård) out of the titular material is one of the happy box office surprises of Q4 so far.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In the build-up, Almirón weaved through Toronto’s defense and played a give-and-go with Alexey Miranchuk, who assisted on the winger’s goal.
    — Amna Subhan, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • Rush Creek Reserve is a dippable fondue-like wheel wrapped in spruce bark from Uplands in Dodgeville, WI.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • This arrangement combines a larger front wheel for negotiating uneven surfaces with smaller overall proportions suited to tighter riding environments.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • Her dancers contort and gyrate not only to music but to the mischievous natter of recorded dialogue, to the sound of wind and the hiss and lurch of a train.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
  • By the end of the lengthy, lurching first act, the entire eight-person cast is onstage.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of lurch

Phrases Containing reel

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reeky
reel
reeled
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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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