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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Whether Shuttle Drive holds up on real grass rather than demo reels is the open question, but on paper at least, TerraMow has found something new to say about a very crowded lawn. — New Atlas, 22 July 2026 Allen is making highlight-reel plays by the week with his ability to keep plays that should result in a sack alive, scrambling his way around the field, sometimes running sideline to sideline, just to pick up positive yardage. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
Verb
The hardest thing for me, personally, has been reeling back a bit to come to the understanding that baby steps are important. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026 Boeing is trying to increase 737 Max output and is still reeling from a series of production and quality issues and a near-catastrophic blowout of a fuselage door plug in January 2024. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 21 July 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
  • When And Where To Watch For both showers, plus the Perseid meteor shower, the best time to look is after midnight and through the hours before dawn, when Earth’s rotation turns your location into the direction of incoming meteoroids.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Pitching is always in high demand at the trade deadline and Garrett would be an option as a back end of the rotation starter or a swingman for a contending team.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Rather than a concert, Benton envisioned the evening as a community dance party featuring four veteran Kansas City DJs spinning classic funk, R&B and early hip-hop.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Hurricanes are predicted to grow stronger and spin up faster, too, having a more damaging effect.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The American staggered out of the gates at Royal Portrush last year to an opening 78, but played the final three rounds in a blazing 16-under-par.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Employers staggered work schedules, commuters mapped alternate routes and many residents avoided the city altogether.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Efforts to ensure the integrity of state voter rolls are worthwhile.
    — Editorial, Boston Herald, 27 July 2026
  • That's because only a small share of total Imax theaters are big enough and equipped with the high-cost machinery necessary to project the gigantic rolls of 70 mm film.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 July 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • If your goal is endurance, swim laps or walk through the water at a steady pace to keep your heart rate elevated.
    — Patricia Neligan, AJC.com, 27 July 2026
  • The gunk Bondurant observed was likely didymo disturbed off the bottom of the river by people swimming and walking around.
    — Hannah Smith July 25, Idaho Statesman, 25 July 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • And throughout their exchange, Paul weaved in his analysis of Fauci’s actions to frame the one-sided conversation his way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The podcast, which launched in 2025, focuses on a single sad track as a means for artists to weave personal narratives.
    — Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • Authorities say Jones suddenly slumped over in the driver's seat before Wesley climbed out of the back seat, pushed her body into the passenger seat, got behind the wheel and drove away.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
  • The bike rolls on lightweight cast aluminum wheels shod in sticky Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 July 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • For example, New York endured weather whiplash on July 18 as the city lurched from a heat wave and smoke pollution from Canadian wildfires to flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms that dumped a few inches of rain in a short period of time.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Investors have followed Burnham's path to 10 Downing Street with some consternation, amid fears of a leftward lurch by Labour and a more fiscally loose approach to public spending.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 23 July 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 1 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reel

Nglish: Translation of reel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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