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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
Novig also posted an ad on its Instagram reels, which has racked up 37 million views in four days. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 When a reel of 16mm film discovered in a safe five decades later blows the legend wide open, the people who were there come together to give the full picture. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
The algorithmic brunette’s appearance couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the entertainment industry continued to reel from being overrun by cheap AI slop. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026 The tussle over the soccer match also comes with Spain still reeling from a massive border crossing by tens of thousands of migrants who pushed through the frontier from Morocco into the north African Spanish enclave in late July. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 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
  • The Cubs will avoid facing Chris Sale in this series and have a chance to do damage against the back end of the Braves rotation.
    — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • His presence could give the team four solid pitchers in the rotation to take on any team.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Marie has been reduced to a low-pressure system that is still spinning offshore and sending a deep tropical air mass to the Southern California region, said climate scientist Daniel Swain.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • DJs spun Wasian musicians, including Rodrigo, Mitski, and Japanese Breakfast.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Cue years of staggered, steadily worsening consequences, unboxed by Strippoli with gruesome relish.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
  • As the deli’s surveillance video rolled, his client went from calmly standing at the counter with a bottle of Gatorade to staggering to the floor, clutching his leg and tearing at his pants.
    — Alison J. Stein, HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Rounding out the property is a 4,000-square-foot art studio and gallery, plus a 7,000-square-foot heated barn geared to large-scale sculpture and fabrication work with high-clearance, roll-up doors.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For instance, say a cask of ginger rolls through a trapdoor and lands on a poor laborer below.
    — Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • The fish folds its body, trying to turn or swim, the water nudging overtop.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Those fishing off the Malibu Pier were surprised in mid-August by a hammerhead shark swimming nearby.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • Her narrative weaves together two genres she has long been known for, crime fiction and science fiction, and continues Mandel's explorations of chaos, identity, impermanence and transcendence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • As the chasing cops weave around commuters and a school bus, dash cam video shows Trooper Major pulling up behind the truck and ramming it in the far-right breakdown lane.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • All that goes through the rear wheels, directed that way exclusively by a six-speed manual transmission.
    — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Conventional drivetrains rely on a central engine or motor with power distributed to the wheels by way of differentials, driveshafts, and gearboxes.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • Still, there is no working around the fact that a manual transmission is a pain in traffic – with the endless clutching and shifting and lurching forward in first gear.
    — Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
  • With a cigarette dangling from her lips, ashes and curse words ever ready to fall, Angela lurches around the house critical of everything and everyone.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 10 Sep. 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 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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