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
Another highlight-reel catch for the Heisman Trophy favorite Jeremiah Smith delivered another highlight catch, this one resulting in a 38‑yard touchdown on a fourth-down play against Indiana. — Mark Long, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Embiid, in particular, looked to already be in midseason form Friday night, finishing with 27 points, eight rebounds and a highlight-reel-worthy dunk. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
The town was among the places hit hardest by the rioting and looting that erupted across France over the weekend, leaving the country reeling from its worst violence in years. — Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026 As officials await a conclusion to this case, the victim’s university community is left reeling. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 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
  • But after a trade to Charlotte for center Mark Williams was rescinded, Knecht never settled back into the rotation.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Rookie guard Ryan Conwell might be ready to be in the Heat’s rotation sooner than some expected.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Allison worries everyday fans are being conditioned to see the diamond – or the court or the field – as slot machines and the human athletes as spinning symbols that sometimes align as dollar signs.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That level of control precluded a Vatican media operation from spinning tall tales as occurred during John Paul's reign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The vice mayor and commissioners already serve four-year terms, though their terms are staggered.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Noel personally drove him to the train station, gave him a fresh sausage roll, and sent him on his way.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Studies and audits of state voter rolls have repeatedly found that voting by noncitizens is rare and hasn’t swayed any elections.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • After lingering in nearby waters for hours, the shark swam beneath an outer barrier net installed on the platform that night and reentered the waterway.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This tiny wearable device could record thousands of individual neurons simultaneously as animals swim, play, explore, and interact naturally.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • With a bigger budget from Netflix, Sy and Leterrier leaned further into the show’s superhero-like qualities, expanding its universe beyond the novels of Maurice Leblanc and weaving some futuristic elements.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Rubio weaves stories about heartbreak, drugs, and the slippery, occasionally hallucinatory process of finding your way back to your own life.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • According to company representatives, the system can slash air resistance around the trailer wheels and suspension components.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The lines ebbed and flowed, but attendees seemed most excited to spin the wheel at the Allure Beauty Box station.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • The insurrection drew immediate and obvious parallels to the United States, which, during much of the past decade, has lurched alongside Brazil through a strange hall of mirrors.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Hop on the #6 double-decker from Central to Stanley beach, which lurches around Hong Kong Island's mountainous southern South China Sea coast (sit upstairs on the right-hand side).
    — Lee Cobaj, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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