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
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
And for the Best Visual Effects category, all Academy members must view the three-minute Before and After reels from the Visual Effects Bake-Off to be eligible to vote in the final round.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
In visual effects, all Academy members must view the three-minute Before and After reels from the Visual Effects Bake-Off to vote in the final round.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 May 2026
Playoff games are often decided in the details; the possessions that don’t show up in highlight reels.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The collection consisted of around 10 reels of film that were in bad condition.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The identification process unfolded quickly once the reels reached the conservation center.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
The film resurfaced after a collection of deteriorating nitrate reels was submitted to the Library of Congress by a Michigan man who inherited them from his great-grandfather.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
After his death in 1937, his collection — including reels, journals and equipment — was passed down through generations, eventually ending up in McFarland’s possession.
—Ryan Brennan
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Matthew Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
As America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 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
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
Noun
His Instagram reels often show him criticizing the LGBTQ+ community.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
And for the Best Visual Effects category, all Academy members must view the three-minute Before and After reels from the Visual Effects Bake-Off to be eligible to vote in the final round.
—Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
In visual effects, all Academy members must view the three-minute Before and After reels from the Visual Effects Bake-Off to vote in the final round.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 May 2026
Playoff games are often decided in the details; the possessions that don’t show up in highlight reels.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
The collection consisted of around 10 reels of film that were in bad condition.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The identification process unfolded quickly once the reels reached the conservation center.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
The film resurfaced after a collection of deteriorating nitrate reels was submitted to the Library of Congress by a Michigan man who inherited them from his great-grandfather.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
After his death in 1937, his collection — including reels, journals and equipment — was passed down through generations, eventually ending up in McFarland’s possession.
—Ryan Brennan
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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 America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reels
Noun
-
The Dark Knight’s wheels are getting a winter upgrade.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
8 May 2026
-
Instead of distributing the same braking pressure across all four wheels, the software continuously adjusts force at every corner of the vehicle.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The arrests of nine people on the bridge — along with two rally organizers a couple days earlier — capped a two-month operation to track down dirt bike and ATV riders suspected of traveling in packs for sideshows and spins across the Bay Area, said Oakland police Chief Jim Beere.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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From May to November, Saturday Night Lights brings show jumping under the lights, with knock-out rounds, live music, and a family-friendly carnival atmosphere of pony rides, hobby horsing, face painting, and carousel spins.—
Belinda Luksic,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Jarrett Allen was ineffective because of three first-quarter fouls, which Atkinson said hosed the Cavs’ rhythm and rotations.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
-
So your rotations aren’t just about contesting 3s.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
-
The pair picked apart the Fire defense with a series of effective rolls and slips.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Data brokers pull from public records -- property filings, voter rolls, court documents -- that are constantly updated.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Lockwood takes different noises—from volcanic activity in Hawaii to spring peepers near the Mississippi River, crows around Essex, and hydroacoustic signals in the Tasman Sea—and weaves a tapestry in constant flux.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Dolan dissects his estrangement from his mother after forty years of attempts at peace, and weaves in research and reportage about child abuse and trauma.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Reels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reels. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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