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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of reels
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
If there was an Oscar for reels, this would surely win one.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
There are also no Instagram reels of Wu getting stiff-armed by the state Senate and forced to raise property taxes by 13%.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Here are our biggest Instagram reels this year.
—Ben De La Cruz, NPR, 26 Dec. 2025
Between all the photo dumps, highlight reels, and year-in-review posts, the holidays can end up feeling more like a season of comparisons than one of joy and gratitude.
—Dr. Brook Choulet, Time, 22 Dec. 2025
Hashtags, reels and fan groups function as both inspiration sources and planning resources.
—Taylor Haught, Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025
For decades, studios teamed with View-Master with disc reels containing images from their TV shows and movies.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
The stereoscopic viewing device with its 3-D image reels has been a staple Mattel toy for generations.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
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
As Wells Fargo reels from revelations that its mistake cost hundreds of people their homes, the bank is blaming the problem on faulty computer software.
—Deon Roberts, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
The trial starts at a time when the nation reels from another assassination, the one of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
The company has already tested personalized cartoons and reported many reels becoming viral.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Jan. 2026
If there was an Oscar for reels, this would surely win one.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Jan. 2026
There are also no Instagram reels of Wu getting stiff-armed by the state Senate and forced to raise property taxes by 13%.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 30 Dec. 2025
Here are our biggest Instagram reels this year.
—Ben De La Cruz, NPR, 26 Dec. 2025
Between all the photo dumps, highlight reels, and year-in-review posts, the holidays can end up feeling more like a season of comparisons than one of joy and gratitude.
—Dr. Brook Choulet, Time, 22 Dec. 2025
Hashtags, reels and fan groups function as both inspiration sources and planning resources.
—Taylor Haught, Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025
For decades, studios teamed with View-Master with disc reels containing images from their TV shows and movies.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
The stereoscopic viewing device with its 3-D image reels has been a staple Mattel toy for generations.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
As Wells Fargo reels from revelations that its mistake cost hundreds of people their homes, the bank is blaming the problem on faulty computer software.
—Deon Roberts, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
The trial starts at a time when the nation reels from another assassination, the one of conservative activist, Charlie Kirk.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reels
Noun
-
So much grunt routes through a trick all-wheel-drive system that actually uses a two-speed gearbox ahead of the engine between the front wheels, in addition to a more traditional eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle routing power to the rears.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The Black Edition has black all over, including the body, trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, skidplate, and grille—and even black glass, almost, or privacy glass.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That’s when Hughes stops abruptly, spins away from the challenger while still solidly in possession of the puck and heads back toward the blue line to find either open ice or a teammate who is in position to shoot.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
23 Jan. 2026
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Varied scenes include a video of smokestacks in the unmistakable soft light of a Beijing winter, the artist puffing cigarettes as a Lazy Susan spins leisurely with dishes and a bottle of Nongfu Spring, a local mineral water brand; and a robot getting out of an elevator.—
Stephy Chung,
CNN Money,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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But Roman breaks free, staggers to his feet and appears to wipe his face, apparently from pepper spray.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The layout ensures that every fan in the venue had a good view, and the members incorporated rotations throughout their choreography for an immersive experience (even Dahyun, who was seated for most of the show due to an ankle injury).—
Kristine Kwak,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2026
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Seasonal décor rotations are a fun way to utilize the space above kitchen cabinets.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes an unexpected event lurches family members into becoming caregivers.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Three seconds later, the Honda crashes into a parked car with such force its tires fly off the street, the pile of cars lurches forward several feet and snow billows.—
Claire Galofaro,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In this lucent sky, long white clouds unfurl like rolls of canvas.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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This includes the Department of Justice suing 25 states, primarily run by Democrats, for refusing to turn over nonpublic voter rolls that contain sensitive data, including Social Security numbers.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The experience weaves together the rich history of the ship, its crew and passengers, building a deeper understanding of life aboard the Titanic.—
Kari Barnett,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
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Sanders’s violin weaves his classical roots into the pulse of jazz improvisation.—
Gina Grillo,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To be frank, Jarrett’s rush pattern may have short-circuited the Next Gen Stats GPS system with more twists, twirls and figure-eights than an Olympic figure skating routine.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
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Centennial Lakes Park in suburban Edina is the perfect urban oasis to try out twirls or pick up some speed.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reels. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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