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
But, creating the scratch tracks that went along with our story reels, Chris used to do this voice all the time. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025 Known as the sportfishing capital of the world, Islamorada offers far more than rods and reels. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 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
  • To have this ability to contain secrets but to withhold them and have this facade with Michaela that’s totally different than the relationship with her sister, to keep all those plates spinning, that’s a tall order.
    Lauren Coates, Variety, 24 May 2025
  • The airwaves are full of young stars spinning narratives with a Jarvis-style eye for junk detail, from Chappell to Billie to Olivia.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 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
  • Hot dog pizza rolls combine two of the best comfort foods into one.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • What to do: Hiking dramatic portions of the Pacific Crest Trail; climbing peaks that few others have summited; boating and swimming in the adjacent NRAs.
    Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • The path to infection The most common way people swimming inland get sick is by swallowing the water.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The latest installment, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, which hit theaters on May 23, continues the story set up in 2023's Dead Reckoning, weaving together elements from the previous seven films, for what is possibly the last Mission: Impossible movie.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • The Shed describes The Brothers Size as a modern-day fable about two brothers in the Deep South that weaves in the rich storytelling tradition of the Yoruba people of West Africa.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • One of the most obvious instruments is a rotating wheel with little cups on the end that measures wind speed.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025
  • That aggressive flavor and character is seen in the sharpened grille mesh as part of its unique front fascia, gloss black 20-inch wheels and navy blue and black interior exclusive to the model.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Juventus are lurching from one coach to the next with no real vision for the future, while the once-mighty AC Milan will miss out on Europe altogether next season and the likes of Fiorentina, Torino and Parma – all having won major trophies in the past – are shadows of their former selves.
    Adam Digby, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Wednesday’s primetime debate between the leaders of the five main political parties in the Great North has changed its start time to avoid clashing with a hockey game that could lurch the Montreal Canadiens into this year’s NHL playoffs.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

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