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
Their desperate hope, their cruel denial still weigh on this nation’s soul 87 years later, though most Americans only caught glimpses of the doomed passengers through news reels. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026 Bonus features include a feature-length commentary, a gag reel, and four behind-the-scenes featurettes, plus a new Lady Gaga and Doechii music video. — John Archer, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
Even before the recent wildfires ignited, Utah cattle ranchers were reeling from a record drought that has hit the state, drying out thousands of acres of grazing land, officials said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 30 June 2026 Daemon’s been pressing Rhaenyra to be more aggressive, and now, reeling from grief, she’s poised to act. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 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
  • While chip stocks have stumbled, a rotation into other sectors has helped to buoy the market.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
  • Opt for high-quality sets in bold prints and keep them in constant rotation.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing spun to face home plate umpire Dan Iassogna, holding up his mitt with the ball inside.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • The find came after the observatory's camera also helped to identify in January a massive asteroid nearly the size of eight football fields that was confirmed to be the fastest-spinning large asteroid ever found.
    — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Arrivals were staggered with people having to wait for hours with nothing to do.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 July 2026
  • Airbnb, DoorDash, Reddit, and Snowflake all either shortened the 180 days or staggered them.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • While Garcia runs a steady takeout business, there are a handful of tables inside, with chili flakes in shakers and rolls of paper towel for napkins.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Few would begrudge Paraguay this recognition, but the skullduggery did produce eye-rolls and requires stronger officiating.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • The incident occurred when Clark and her colleagues took a break to swim in the Econlockhatchee River near the Barr Street trailhead, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
    — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • It is considered unsafe to swim in the rivers for at least 48 hours after a storm.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • Police continue to investigate why the driver was weaving and drove into the pole, Becchina said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
  • Residents complained about teenagers popping wheelies through shopping centers, blowing stop signs, weaving around pedestrians and treating greenways like race courses.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • Only when McDaniels parlayed that into a head-coaching gig with the Raiders before the ’22 season, the wheels came off.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 July 2026
  • 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, 10 July 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • Once, somewhere in southern Virginia, Dad performed the customary lurch off the highway in the direction of a promising barbecue counter.
    — Rachel Tepper Paley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • The same boom-and-bust dependency on the oil industry, whose profits were now funnelled through the regime and its allies, kept the country lurching from one crisis to the next.
    — Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 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 11 Jul. 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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