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
Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
Amongst the rubble, filmmakers discover reels of home movies which would expose a shocking new chapter of the zoo’s history.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
There won’t be any TikTok dances near Amen Corner, nor quizzical reels filmed with Jason Kelce under the Big Oak.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 2026
International pressure is mounting for the war to end as the global economy reels from rising oil prices.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Blooper reels, once common in comedy films, are fading from cinema partly due to the rise of dramatic post-credit epilogues and the shift from DVDs to streaming platforms, experts say.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
The real game-winner, the one that will be impossible to miss in highlight reels from now until forever, shouldn’t have happened.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
There are even apps where actors can upload their reels.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
And years of tournament reels have proven anything can happen, particularly with top teams often leaning on younger high-end NBA prospects against older and more experienced teams.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
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
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
Noun
For more than 40 years, major film studios have stored movie reels, props and costumes 650 feet underground in a Hutchinson, Kansas, salt mine.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2026
Amongst the rubble, filmmakers discover reels of home movies which would expose a shocking new chapter of the zoo’s history.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
There won’t be any TikTok dances near Amen Corner, nor quizzical reels filmed with Jason Kelce under the Big Oak.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Apr. 2026
International pressure is mounting for the war to end as the global economy reels from rising oil prices.
—Joseph Konig, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Blooper reels, once common in comedy films, are fading from cinema partly due to the rise of dramatic post-credit epilogues and the shift from DVDs to streaming platforms, experts say.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Mar. 2026
The real game-winner, the one that will be impossible to miss in highlight reels from now until forever, shouldn’t have happened.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
There are even apps where actors can upload their reels.
—Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026
And years of tournament reels have proven anything can happen, particularly with top teams often leaning on younger high-end NBA prospects against older and more experienced teams.
—ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
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
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,
16 Apr. 2026
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Attorney Lynn Johnson stood before jurors in a Kansas City, Kansas, courtroom Tuesday afternoon and motioned to a metal device on wheels that was sitting in front of them.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The ball spins one way, then seemingly shifts directions right as hitters start to swing.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Stephen King Cinematic Universe A wildly influential film that spins high school revenge fantasy into a dizzyingly gory spectacle.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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And two seasons in, the Miami Heat 7-footer at times has been both essential contributor in Erik Spoelstra’s rotations and low-minutes bit player.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Smith was one of 13 Lakers to get in the game, as Redick continues to assess who can help fill out playoff rotations.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
-
Congress changed the law the next year to require royalties for rolls and records.—
Steven Melendez,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Justice Department has sued 30 states and the District of Columbia after officials in those places refused to hand over their voter rolls, which contain names, birth dates, drivers' license numbers and partial Social Security numbers.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The story follows two competing MCs – MC Badnaam and OG – whose feud weaves together revenge, ambition, and coming-of-age themes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Breaking away from pushing out frustrating pop-up ads that interrupt games, Albert's company weaves their clients' brands into them on some of the biggest platforms.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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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 21 Apr. 2026.
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