reels 1 of 2

plural of reel
as in wheels
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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reels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of reel
1
as in spins
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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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 reels
Noun
During these stories, short reels or live streams, purchases are often completed without ever leaving the platform—a seamless journey from discovery to checkout that takes seconds rather than days. Christopher Yang, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 A little more than two decades later, roughly two years into his big-league career, Rafaela’s own eye-popping defense has already been a part of countless highlight reels. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025 Everyone shows their highlight reels on social media. Will Carless, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 This First House will have a focus on affordable homes and projects and episodes will feature more tech-centric visuals including Instagram reels and TikTok-style content as well as vertical videos and video conferencing. Peter White, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 With lots of hefty dialogue and basically one indoor location, Ozon’s movie loses some momentum during those theatrical closing reels, although the performances help to keep the energy level high. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025 Solomon Nesakumar, additional commissioner of police in Kolkata, told NPR that crowd control is always difficult and becomes even more challenging when people stop to take selfies or their close cousin, video reels to post on Instagram and other platforms. Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 31 Aug. 2025 Lubeck took engraving classes, created her own pieces, and, like a true Millennial, made reels showing them off. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025 As Kauser’s family reels from the tragic accident, she’s being remembered as a loving mother. Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
As Minneapolis reels from the shooting, officials are combing through Westman’s rambling writings – which the shooter shared in YouTube videos timed to go online around the same time as the attack – to search for a motive. Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 As for what a Glee reboot would look like, the mind reels. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025 But while storms remain unpredictable, this year may see abnormally dry conditions persist into September, as the state still reels from a series of devastating wildfires last year that led to the death of a Wethersfield firefighter. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 Aug. 2025 Meanwhile, desserts such as Hawaiian butter mochi and Indonesian cenil captivate a new generation of pastry chefs with TikToks and reels awash with jiggles, squishes, and bounces. Cathy Erway, Saveur, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reels
Noun
  • 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.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Included in the sale is the Meridian Carry-on, which measures 14 inches wide and 22 inches tall, wheels included.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The small-batch ice cream shop spins up scoops inspired by classic Filipino flavors, including as Ube Cookies & Cream, Jackfruit Chili Nut, and Keso Guava Cheesecake.
    Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Dullness is a general problem in Sacrifice, which spins its wheels in its middle stretch, killing time before its fiery finale.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Make the most of the shoulder seasons Almost all schools in England enjoy the long summer break at the same time (unlike in Scotland, which staggers its school vacation time for each region).
    Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The agency staggers payments across the month to manage the large volume of recipients.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • With seasonal breaks and fallow-field crop rotations, unused fields could theoretically transition into wetlands for many weeks and months of the year.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The mop spins at 220 rotations per minute, but oddly, the X8 applies more pressure with up to 4,000Pa of downward force compared with 3,700Pa on the X9.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Fresh beignets and cinnamon rolls are available all day.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.
    Eli Hager, ProPublica, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jacir weaves in more salient archival imagery.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Our team keeps an eye out for summer-weight fabrics like gauzy cotton, airy linens, and waffle weaves that are designed to feel breathable.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Because global air travel shuffles millions of people around the world daily, an outbreak of a very contagious disease anywhere can become a threat everywhere.
    Amy E. Stambach, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2025
  • With Noni Madueke doubled up on out wide, Zubimendi shuffles backwards to receive the pass, and then fires a pass into Martin Odegaard, breaking the first two lines of the opposition’s 4-4-2 defensive block.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, Morton would already be at 200 if one of his wild curves hadn't been so effective last month.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Gentle sweeps and curves are better than straight rows that merely repeat the legal lines of your property boundaries.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reels. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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