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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
Will there be a long touchdown or two that will make the highlight reels this year? — Gary Davenport, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026 Bindi commented on Mason’s Instagram reel about the purchase, and Terri Irwin did, too. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
In the meantime, Moody’s family is reeling over her death and the way her body was found. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 The launch comes as the broader smartphone industry is reeling from a worldwide contraction due to skyrocketing memory costs that have driven up the price of finished devices. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 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
  • And Marcelin, who had worked his way into the linebacker rotation early in his sophomore year, was tied for third on the team with nine tackles through three games.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Summer frocks remain on rotation, made appropriate for the season by thin sweaters and leather boots, while sandals pair with mini skirts and mocknecks.
    — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • To spin total concoctions into something so riveting is — for better or worse — an admirable cinematic skill, one Hur uses to turn a tale of forensic malfeasance into mass entertainment of considerable quality.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • There’s even a record player where vinyl fans can spin classic tunes!
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • To adjust to the limited space, many teams are expected to stagger arrivals of athletes and officials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Logan wields unbreakable, atomically sharp adamantium claws, yet enemies feel like bloated punching bags that require mindless button-mashing to stagger.
    — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Existing law also blocks most states from systematically purging voters from their rolls within 90 days of an election, said David Becker, an election law expert who leads the Center for Election Innovation and Research.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Take the quiz here … LISTEN Tune in as Republicans navigate unexpectedly tight midterm races, voter concerns over high living costs, the debate over AI regulation, and questions surrounding state voter rolls.
    — , FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • Jetta was trained to swim to the pool’s edge three times a day and inhale deeply through the nebulizer, which was crafted specially for a beluga blowhole.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
  • More energetic outdoor activities include swimming in the saltwater pool, walking or jogging on the Deck 15 track, paddle tennis, golf cages, and a mini-golf course.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • Among the guests at the launch celebration were Coco Rocha and Debbie Harry, weaving through the space and stopping at the backlit bar for drinks, nodding along to the sounds of DJ duo Las Flaquitas.
    — Ruby Ford-Dunker, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Her committed advocacy is well known; her brilliance in recognizing a constellation of facts and weaving them together to find solutions is another part of her legacy.
    — Susan Daria Landino, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • Eleazar pulls off what may be the hardest trick, which is to show someone else doing a great job at acting — a wheels-within-wheels performance that could very well carry through to serious consideration.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • When the road becomes too tight for the eActros, Wagner can leave the motorhome behind and continue on two wheels.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • Maybe this is what the Chargers are — lurching, sputtering and unable to consistently move the football, despite an offensive overhaul packed with lofty expectations.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
  • One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of lurch

Phrases Containing reel

Browse Nearby Words

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 26 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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