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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in staggers
to move forward while swaying from side to side
got off the amusement park ride reeling and barely able to stand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reels
Rebecca Treon, Parents, 18 June 2026
The man went behind the retail counter and ripped handfuls of lottery tickets out of the Michigan Lottery display case, unspooling them as though from reels of toilet paper.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 June 2026
As early as 1898, the American psychologist Norman Triplett observed that children working in pairs wound fishing reels faster than children working alone.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise should collectively fill highlight reels from the attack.
—Christopher Hamill, New York Times, 15 June 2026
The adventure content creator had amassed more than 320,000 followers on Facebook, while some of his reels garnered millions of views.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 15 June 2026
The growing popularity of Chinese pop culture—including minute-long microdramas and TikTok reels of ‘cyberpunk’ cities like Chongqing—is also boosting the popularity of C-beauty brands.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Win or lose, the plays will be clipped incessantly, jammed into highlight reels or viral tweets, and B-roll of fans flooding the streets past subway stops adorned in Knicks colors and Timberlands will be plastered all over a thousand documentaries.
—Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
That moment has lived for decades on sports blooper reels.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 5 June 2026
As America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026
Trump is withdrawing his pick to lead the National Park Service as the agency reels from mass firings, exhibit removals and an ongoing leadership vacuum with no permanent director.
—Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
As Hawaii reels from some of the worst flooding to hit the region in decades, one good Samaritan is taking to the waterways to paddle pets left behind to safety.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Chalamet then mimics opera singing before McConaughey reels him back in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Kansas City reels again Those arguments echo comments made two years ago.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
As the nation reels from last week’s fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good, the stars at Sunday’s 83rd Golden Globe Awards used the red carpet to protest the government agency.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
As another legislative session begins Tuesday, the mind reels backward to past years and the many controversies that have defined and reshaped the state’s politics.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
As a teen growing up in the digital age, my son loved taking goofy pictures and creating reels for social media.
—Rebecca Treon, Parents, 18 June 2026
The man went behind the retail counter and ripped handfuls of lottery tickets out of the Michigan Lottery display case, unspooling them as though from reels of toilet paper.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 June 2026
As early as 1898, the American psychologist Norman Triplett observed that children working in pairs wound fishing reels faster than children working alone.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise should collectively fill highlight reels from the attack.
—Christopher Hamill, New York Times, 15 June 2026
The adventure content creator had amassed more than 320,000 followers on Facebook, while some of his reels garnered millions of views.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 15 June 2026
The growing popularity of Chinese pop culture—including minute-long microdramas and TikTok reels of ‘cyberpunk’ cities like Chongqing—is also boosting the popularity of C-beauty brands.
—Angelica Ang, Fortune, 9 June 2026
Win or lose, the plays will be clipped incessantly, jammed into highlight reels or viral tweets, and B-roll of fans flooding the streets past subway stops adorned in Knicks colors and Timberlands will be plastered all over a thousand documentaries.
—Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 3 June 2026
That moment has lived for decades on sports blooper reels.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 3 June 2026
Verb
There’s a lot to digest as the hockey world reels from the stunning Dylan Larkin news that came out Thursday, his trade request putting the Detroit Red Wings in an unenviable spot.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 5 June 2026
As America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026
Trump is withdrawing his pick to lead the National Park Service as the agency reels from mass firings, exhibit removals and an ongoing leadership vacuum with no permanent director.
—Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
As Hawaii reels from some of the worst flooding to hit the region in decades, one good Samaritan is taking to the waterways to paddle pets left behind to safety.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Chalamet then mimics opera singing before McConaughey reels him back in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Kansas City reels again Those arguments echo comments made two years ago.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
As the nation reels from last week’s fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good, the stars at Sunday’s 83rd Golden Globe Awards used the red carpet to protest the government agency.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
As another legislative session begins Tuesday, the mind reels backward to past years and the many controversies that have defined and reshaped the state’s politics.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
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,
19 June 2026
-
Another video showed the carriage flipping over with the remaining passengers inside after its wheels struck another carriage at the park.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Contributing Travel Editor Andrew Sessa spins the globe — and trots around it, too — to bring CNT the latest and greatest news and notes from destinations far and wide.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 June 2026
-
Its entire frame spins multiple times like an Olympic figure skater before finally crashing down on the pavement behind the car.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Steely and deliberate songwriting that casually staggers down the line between rhythm and melody, laced with loose yet conscious jams.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
-
Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The rotations were sharp, hedges were hard and defensive possessions ended one-and-done.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
-
Along the way, Brown delivered a masterclass in coaching with brilliant tactical adjustments, superb rotations and a masterful use of the team’s depth.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The film unhurriedly lurches from one markedly similar fight scene to the next, with only Skeletor’s occasional injections of ripe innuendo to liven them up a bit.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
By the end, Noonan’s film stops feeling like a first date and starts to resemble the makings of a crime scene as his mood lurches toward something dangerous.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Think of these as the savory answer to cinnamon rolls.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 June 2026
-
During season, visitors line up for hours for a chance to purchase their famous cinnamon rolls or spend a few hours picking fresh strawberries.—
Delia Rose Sauer,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The story weaves together themes of migration, memory and intergenerational belonging, and was produced on a modest budget with no major stars or spectacle to drive ticket sales.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
First released in May 2026 as a single ahead of her next album Whiskey & Hemingway, the song effortlessly weaves traditional American country elements with the singer's El Salvadoran heritage.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Makar tested out his skating with some twirls at the end of the first and returned for the second.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
-
The unconscious Moon twirls into your 12th House of Whispers, inviting gentle reflection and rest that helps your inner world reorganize.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reels. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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