reel 1 of 2

as in rotation
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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reel

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to spin
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 reel
Noun
There’s a wedding reception scene at the very end of the closing credits’ blooper reel. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025 One hustle play in each of the Gophers’ first two games will be added to the reel. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Student communities are reeling after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, raising questions about what his death means for campus politics and free speech. Hanna Kang, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025 Ten-foot swells rose up and sent our boat reeling. Martin Suarez, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
  • These days, Christmas movies, broadly and charitably defined, seem to be synonymous with the brassy, hokey, sickly sweet sort of fare that has a permanent home on the Hallmark Channel and is in perpetual rotation on Netflix.
    Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • However, this mathematical fact doesn’t have anything to do with our calendar at all, nor with our planet’s rotation on its axis coupled with Earth’s revolution around the Sun.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Delivering an incredible 280 Air Watts of suction through its fifth generation Hyperdymium capable of spinning at 135,000rpm, the flagship model boasts a number of other supporting technologies such as laser dust detection, whole-machine HEPA filtration, and a 70-minute runtime.
    Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Gaudí’s structure is a head-spinning mixture of morphing geometrical forms, many inspired by nature.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Layer pumpkins of different sizes, shades, and types, and stagger their height by placing some directly on the porch, others on hay bales, and nestling some into planters.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The planet staggered toward the most dangerous greenhouse in the fossil record.
    Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Remove the sides of the pan, transfer rolls to a plate and sprinkle with cilantro.
    Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Replace the top half of the rolls.
    Mary Claire Britton, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To avoid being swept away, swim parallel to the shore to exit a rip current.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Fish and other large creatures swim freely, move against the current, and leave behind a trail of molecules.
    Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Aliée Istanbul All of the hotels bordering the Bosphorus have an impressive view of the boats weaving through the river’s currents and the Asian half of Istanbul on the other side.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Our Top Picks for the Best Bedroom Rugs Solid rugs can bring a pop of color into your bedroom and weave in texture at the same time.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Breakthrough in production Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a scalable way to produce EVs using vertical-wheel bioreactors.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The artist envisioned a series of handmade ceramic objects made from a traditional potter’s wheel technique, resulting in a versatile array of vases that turn into bowls, containers that can be flipped and take on different functions depending on how they’re positioned.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • To make for a more energy efficient and less nerve-racking exodus experience, once the line grows large enough, pulsing begins, wherein vehicles move in packs rather than lurch along at 5 mph.
    Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The title track opens the affair by lurching and creeping forward for ten minutes with odd, off-putting lyrics.
    Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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