reel 1 of 2

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

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
Everyone shows their highlight reels on social media. Will Carless, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 And that reel was made seven years ago. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
But if Maiava, who matched a career-high in touchdown passes on Saturday, can continue to get the ball to playmakers like Lemon and Lane, the Trojans could have opponents reeling. Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025 At the time, Katharine reportedly found comfort in the Catholic church while reeling from mental and physical health challenges, according to the BBC. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
  • While mopping, its spinning pads apply 12 Newtons of downward pressure and spin at up to 200 rotations per minute (RPM).
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Houston has deployed a six-man rotation while playing this stretch of 13 consecutive games.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Waterspouts are spinning columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • While most broths are perfectly serviceable for rounding out the flavors of a soup or giving a brothy head start to a braise, Epic provides the kind of gelatine-rich base that is worthy of spinning up into a ramen broth for weeknight noodle duty.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As Devers launched his 30th home run of the season into the right field seats at Coors Field, Colorado starting pitcher Kyle Freeland took exception to the slugger slowly staggering out of the batter's box, watching the flight of the ball.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Terry staggered to the lobby and collapsed, according to court documents.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Chef’s specialties include cast iron cinnamon rolls and ancho chile ceasar salad, alongside oysters on the half shell and shallot shrimp grits.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Families love Split for its walkable Old Town, beaches, and ferry access to islands like Hvar and Korčula, where kids can swim while grandparents explore medieval towns.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The last attack in Sydney took place when a person swimming in shallow water was killed in February 2022, Reuters reported, marking Sydney's first fatal shark attack since 1963.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The museum also held workshops on weaving motankas (traditional Ukrainian rag dolls) and a blacksmithing festival.
    Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
  • On Water Expeditions The Hooghly River weaves through the Indian state of West Bengal from the Ganges, its parent river, to the sea, through a landscape lined with mustard fields and mango orchards.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On fourth-and-12, Weaver bought time in the pocket before finding Gabriel Bess uncovered on a wheel route out of the backfield for a 28-yard touchdown to put Heritage up 23-14 at halftime.
    Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As bystanders watched, the luxury yacht lurched to one side, tilting dangerously before taking on water.
    Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In the face of this onslaught, the alcohol industry’s efforts to make drinking popular again have lurched into paranoia.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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