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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in to stagger
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
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
Maddie Hartley
july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
In a reel shared to Instagram, the multi-hypenate showed off a week’s worth of outfits that included everything from a sleek black jumpsuit to a classic button-down shirt and blue jeans.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 9 July 2025
Nbc News, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Central Texas is still reeling from those devastating floods that claimed more than 100 lives and left dozens missing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Noun
Perez’s personal Superman Night highlight reel included some sparkling plays at first base.
—Maddie Hartley
july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
In a reel shared to Instagram, the multi-hypenate showed off a week’s worth of outfits that included everything from a sleek black jumpsuit to a classic button-down shirt and blue jeans.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
Officials at Camp Mystic — still reeling from the deaths of campers, staffers and its director, and from the ongoing search for others — could not be reached for comment on what the plan included or how the camp responded to Friday’s floods.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 10 July 2025
Central Texas is still reeling from those devastating floods that claimed more than 100 lives and left dozens missing.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
-
So my challenge to him was, well break into the rotation and make that Hall of Fame coach earn your trust.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
-
Both are now in the rotation at low Single-A Lake Elsinore.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
When a ball spins quickly through the air, the placement of its rough elements matters less; the ball moves as if these features are evenly distributed.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
25 July 2025
-
On July 22 and August 5, the Earth will spin a little more than a millisecond faster than usual.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
According to the terms of the proposal, the release of the 10 living hostages and 15 bodies will be staggered over the 60-day period the temporary ceasefire is in effect.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 July 2025
-
The victim staggered up to the mezzanine before collapsing at a turnstile, according to an MTA worker.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
And that winner, drum roll, please, was Shell Shock’d Tacos.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
29 July 2025
-
There will also be a variety of hand rolls, priced from $6.50 to $15.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
In addition, ensure dogs do not swim in rivers, lakes or ponds with discoloration or harmful algal blooms, of which are potentially toxic to them, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
-
In a video shared on Instagram on July 8, Hayward was captured swimming in a cloud of foam in the ocean near Cape Town, South Africa.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
Gran Sasso National Park has trails that weave through medieval villages, crumbling castles, and valleys where wild horses still roam.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
23 July 2025
-
These are pre-shrunk and woven from long-staple fibers for buttery softness.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
22 July 2025
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 July 2025
-
The robot has four wheels and can climb and descend stairs.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
But that’s not enough opposition to stop CPS from lurching substantially further toward insolvency if Harden and interim school Superintendent Macquline King choose that route.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 July 2025
-
Like Germany after the defeat of Hitler, Argentina lurched back and forth between judging its past crimes and trying to move beyond them.—
Julia M. Klein,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share