reels 1 of 2

Definition of reelsnext
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
Members of the cast have seen Anderson’s reels, and Beverley Mitchell (Lucy) even collaborated with Anderson on a video where her character goes to therapy. Jessica Lipsky, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 This isn’t a nostalgia project built on clip reels. Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2026 The films arrived in deteriorated condition, with about 10 reels that had been shuttled from basements to barns to garages. Eric Henderson, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 The channel will also feature behind-the-scenes content and a library of archival videos, including highlight reels. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026 Everyone forms their own memory reels of the Olympics. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026 The vehicle had come to rest against large industrial wire reels inside the facility. Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026 Maloney's car was stopped by large, industrial wire reels, seemingly leading to his subsequent suicide, according to McMahill. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026 That’s because Zingas, like many Gen Z athletes competing in Milan, has been posting reels and stories that pull back the curtain on Olympic life. Kristy Alpert, Outside, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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 Now, as Minneapolis reels from yet another tragedy making national headlines, Ross is at the center of debate over whether his actions during Wednesday’s confrontation were justified. Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026 Ho’s funeral was one of dozens that have taken place across Hong Kong over the past weeks, as the city reels from the fire that killed, among others, toddlers, elderly citizens and foreign domestic helpers hired from Indonesia and the Philippines to look after them. Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025 But the news comes as the country reels over an uptick in political violence following the assasination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last month. Julia Manchester, The Hill, 6 Oct. 2025 The mythology of entrepreneurship is everywhere, from TED Talks and Instagram reels to investor decks glowing with vision. Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026
  • In this case, the vets decided to ditch the wheelchair approach and instead used a LEGO car kit to place a removable axle and wheels directly under Pedro’s shell.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Earth spins on its axis, which runs from the South Pole through the center of the Earth to the North Pole, once a day.
    Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
  • There are as many flavor profiles for chicken salad as there are kitchens in the South, and this one is one of our favorite springtime spins on the classic.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.
    Fielding Buck, Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Because of the program's size, the Social Security Administration (SSA) staggers payments across the month to keep the system running smoothly.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Miami outscored Brooklyn 33-23 in the final period, the kind of quarter where the floor opens up, rotations soften and playmaking becomes easier as competitiveness fades down the stretch.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
  • But each of those wins signaled that the Hawks may have begun to find some stability following their tinkering with their lineup and rotations.
    Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.
    Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
  • After a moment of hesitation, Harington lurches forward and plants a passionate kiss on Turner, who responds in kind.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Easter brunch is the perfect excuse to cook these decadents rolls—and, trust us, everyone will thank you.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Since its debut, Seligman travelers made the restaurant a must-visit for its fresh cinnamon rolls and carrot cake.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Another great trail in the area is the DuPont Waterfalls run in DuPont State Recreational Forest, a six-mile route that weaves by Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls.
    Kristine Thomason, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Extremely tight ponytails or other styles, heavy tracks of hair extensions, weaves and cosmetic heat treatments that pull on our hair can also attribute to hair loss, according to American Academy of Dermatology Association.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The dance world has often based its plaudits on how spectacularly performers can defy gravity with leaps, kicks and twirls.
    Mercury News, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026
  • In other words, Uranus moves around our star like a spinning top that is tilted over and that twirls backward.
    Lee Billings, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Reels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reels. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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