1
as in reciting
to give from memory
he's able to reel off the names of all the U.S. presidents, in historical order and without pausing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in listing
to specify one after another
her friend proceeded to reel off the roster of losers that she had dated over the years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 reeling off
Dent’s emergence helped a young and relatively inexperienced Saint Mary’s squad keep rolling along, reeling off eight consecutive wins late in the season, including home-court thrashings of Santa Clara and Gonzaga.
—
Ron Kroichick, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
The 2025 team won nine of 10 games before reeling off nine in a row during the posteason.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The 28-year-old Italian has been a model of consistency reeling off top-10 results this season and sixth place in the Olympic downhill at nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The Pats started the year 1-2 before reeling off 16 wins in their final 17 games.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
O’Dwyer’s Badgers also set a state record for consecutive wins early in his tenure, reeling off 50 straight from 2003-06.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
The Jaguars, who showed great promise while reeling off three victories, including what seemed like a statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs in prime time, fell flat in a 20-12 loss to the Seahawks.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Most notably, his quarterfinal win against Brandon Nakashima on Sunday was simply breathtaking, with Alcaraz reeling off several shots which made for a spectacular highlights reel.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
The reporter was sent reeling off camera as the attacker walked away from the scene.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Ron Kroichick, Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026
The 2025 team won nine of 10 games before reeling off nine in a row during the posteason.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The 28-year-old Italian has been a model of consistency reeling off top-10 results this season and sixth place in the Olympic downhill at nearby Cortina d’Ampezzo.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The Pats started the year 1-2 before reeling off 16 wins in their final 17 games.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Jan. 2026
O’Dwyer’s Badgers also set a state record for consecutive wins early in his tenure, reeling off 50 straight from 2003-06.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 28 Nov. 2025
The Jaguars, who showed great promise while reeling off three victories, including what seemed like a statement win over the Kansas City Chiefs in prime time, fell flat in a 20-12 loss to the Seahawks.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Most notably, his quarterfinal win against Brandon Nakashima on Sunday was simply breathtaking, with Alcaraz reeling off several shots which made for a spectacular highlights reel.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
The reporter was sent reeling off camera as the attacker walked away from the scene.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reeling off
Verb
-
Daisy falls asleep that night reciting the same hushed prayer that the Pearl Girls invoked for her back in Toronto.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
Hansard found himself in Dublin City, hanging out with writers like Seamus Heaney, directors like Jim Sheridan, and listening to Paul Meehan reciting poetry in a basement.—
Charles Moss,
SPIN,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That sense of a getaway is part of how the listing agent sums up the experience.—
David Caraccio
May 9,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
-
When the network partnered with job-listing site Indeed and revealed details for the role, Chief World Cup Watcher, their idea was to lure in as many sports fans as possible to boost digital engagement around the biggest tournament in the Cup’s history.—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
His near-photographic memory and love of sports allowed him at the age of 10 to start memorizing all the winners of the Heisman Trophy – awarded annually to the top player in college football – that date back to 1935.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
-
Grand masters typically spend countless hours studying and memorizing long sequences of moves suggested by computer programs.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jones found out about the vote to close INA after the Friends of Fort Worth Instagram page shared a Star-Telegram story detailing the possible vote.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This simple V-neck tee gets a subtle upgrade with contrast white detailing at the collar and sleeves.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This week, Bonta joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general from mainly Democratic states submitting a comment letter to the Postal Service outlining their opposition.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
In past election cycles, candidates are given a slip of paper outlining the dual requirement.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reeling off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reeling%20off. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
