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
That fight lasted eight seconds, with Aldo delivering a highlight reel finish that is a must-see finish for those new to the sport. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025 Each film title is scanned in 2K or 4K — sometimes in HDR for enhanced detail — directly from the original camera negatives, reel by reel, then color graded and returned to storage. Ben Croll, Variety, 7 May 2025
Verb
Gates is one of few billionaires to publicly step up their charitable giving as nonprofits and universities reel from federal funding cuts. Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2025 Tees Aren’t About Christmas (But Sort of Are) Still reeling from that brutal Last of Us plot twist? Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
  • And guard Natasha Cloud will be a mainstay in the rotation while replacing the defensive responsibility lost with Laney-Hamilton’s injury.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
  • The Dodgers starting rotation for the past two seasons is a MASH unit.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • In a video posted by PBR, That Mexican OT spun away from a charging bull on two occasions, just barely escaping its horns.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2025
  • There are plenty of reasons to believe Milwaukee wouldn’t go for such an offer: Butler doesn’t exactly fit a rebuild timeline (and an unhappy Butler has made waves before), and spinning his sizable contract off to another team would likely prove difficult.
    Michael Nowels, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Even then, this was staggered, with First Division clubs subject to the Green Guide from 1976 onwards and the rest three years later.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • That’s because there are actually 15 different broods at large, 12 of them observing a 17-year schedule and three making their appearance every 13 years—and the broods’ emergences are staggered.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Ramsay has a lavish gift for staging that sort of baroque rock ‘n’ roll breakdown.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 May 2025
  • Incline mats are perfect for beginners, specially designed to help guide users to do a basic roll.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Corey Walsh, 22, a plumber from Melbourne, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on Tuesday, May 6, when he was pulled by a strong current, according to The Age, 7 News Australia and News.com.au.
    David Chiu, People.com, 12 May 2025
  • If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Among the companies charting this alternative path is Organic India, a wellness brand that has woven regenerative organic agricultural practices into its DNA long before the term became a mainstream badge of sustainability.
    Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • The choreographer Annie-B Parson weaves her dancers through the action, adding energy and grace without ever slowing the plot.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • 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.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2025
  • In a turn of events, Castellanos' name appeared on the wheel four times, including one vote by Butler herself.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And now that governments in many rich countries have sharply lurched to the right and taken more skeptical stances on aid, this industry is collapsing.
    Zainab Usman, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025
  • German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was one of the first European leaders to grasp the long-term implications of the American lurch toward authoritarianism.
    David Axe, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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