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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reel
Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Addlon 54-Feet Shatterproof String Lights, $20 with Prime If versatility is important to you, check out this 54-foot reel of shatterproof string lights.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
As America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reel
Noun
Guests took every opportunity to share their experience on social media, with Glamour global editorial director and editor-in-chief Samantha Barry and Lee setting the playful tone by filming a trending Instagram reel.
—Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Addlon 54-Feet Shatterproof String Lights, $20 with Prime If versatility is important to you, check out this 54-foot reel of shatterproof string lights.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
The traditional television business, which has been reeling from the steady erosion of what was once an economic pillar — programming fees from ESPN, Disney Channel and other popular outlets — will reduce its head count.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
As America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
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One of the area’s top two-way threats last spring, the senior left-hander/first baseman has been good enough to still be an anchor in the Blackhawks’ batting order and atop the pitching rotation.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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With Carlos Rodón, set to make his first rehab start Friday, and Gerrit Cole, scheduled for his second rehab start Thursday, working their way back from injuries, a logjam is coming to the Yankees’ rotation if everyone else stays healthy.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The plot that spins from this opening includes a series of events involving philosophy, parenting, mental health, disability, romance and international art terrorism that would take several columns worth to summarize.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Invitees will be welcomed with Martell’s French 75 while a DJ spins the hottest beats before Davido himself arrives on Sunday, April 12.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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To stagger the terms, seats two and four — which were elected in 2025 — would serve three-year transitional terms through 2028.—
James Wilkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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Murray and Johnson staggered with the bench unit.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Anyone can be in the pick and roll.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
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Margins are small, and competition intense (lots of people can make a mediocre bread roll).—
Kamal Ahmed,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The notation was curiously quaint, dots and curly tails swimming along like so many tadpoles.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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The person swimming in the lane next to mine was doing the breaststroke and hit me with her leg, under the lane rope, on two consecutive laps.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The mandolins weave intricate patterns together, in counterpoint or unison.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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This over 1,000-mile route weaves through breathtaking Great Lakes landscapes, tracing the edge of the glacier that covered these parts over 12,000 years ago.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Then, with McLean still on the mound in the seventh, Luke Keaschall singled in Cody Klemens to tie the game at three before the wheels fell off in the ninth.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Patrick Kolasinski, Mendoza Hernandez's lawyer, said the judge's decision to withhold bail was based in part on evidence indicating Hernandez's vehicle wheels were turning before the first shot was fired.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And while navigating Washington isn’t getting any easier, world leaders are starting to lurch out of a wait-and-see mode and chart their own paths to prosperity.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile the Caliente Range — those mountains just to the west — are lurching the opposite way.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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