reel 1 of 2

noun

Definition of reelnext
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

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Noun
Think of the World Heritage List as a highlight reel of more than a thousand meaningful locations around the world, including wild landscapes, ancient ruins, significant historical sites, and more. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 Brown gifted Woolard a watch, journal, and sweet treat per an Instagram reel of her wrapping the present. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Verb
The Grapevine community is reeling after a 41-year-old substitute teacher and mother of two was found dead after being reported missing earlier this month. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 July 2026 Her grieving father temporarily relocates the family to Donegal, Ireland, which in 1973, as O’Donnell reminds us, was reeling from its very own Troubles. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 25 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
  1. rotation
  2. spin
  3. stagger
  4. roll
  5. swim
  6. weave
  7. wheel
  8. lurch
Noun
  • When And Where To Watch For both showers, plus the Perseid meteor shower, the best time to look is after midnight and through the hours before dawn, when Earth’s rotation turns your location into the direction of incoming meteoroids.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Pitching is always in high demand at the trade deadline and Garrett would be an option as a back end of the rotation starter or a swingman for a contending team.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Rather than a concert, Benton envisioned the evening as a community dance party featuring four veteran Kansas City DJs spinning classic funk, R&B and early hip-hop.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Hurricanes are predicted to grow stronger and spin up faster, too, having a more damaging effect.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The American staggered out of the gates at Royal Portrush last year to an opening 78, but played the final three rounds in a blazing 16-under-par.
    — Justin Ray, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Employers staggered work schedules, commuters mapped alternate routes and many residents avoided the city altogether.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • Seth Rollins hit a superplex on Reigns, but Reigns countered the roll-through with a Guillotine.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Its ray illuminated a case of wrapping-paper rolls, a wooden stool, a broken box full of old picture frames.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • Primus could easily have been a blip, one of many abortive major label risks in a decade when the industry was swimming in cash.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Dikra is a 20-year-old migrant from Morocco CEUTA, Spain -- Dikra, a 20-year-old migrant from Morocco, had spent five days in Ceuta by Sunday after swimming to the Spanish territory with her younger sister and cousin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • And throughout their exchange, Paul weaved in his analysis of Fauci’s actions to frame the one-sided conversation his way.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The podcast, which launched in 2025, focuses on a single sad track as a means for artists to weave personal narratives.
    — Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • Authorities say Jones suddenly slumped over in the driver's seat before Wesley climbed out of the back seat, pushed her body into the passenger seat, got behind the wheel and drove away.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
  • The bike rolls on lightweight cast aluminum wheels shod in sticky Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tires.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 July 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • For example, New York endured weather whiplash on July 18 as the city lurched from a heat wave and smoke pollution from Canadian wildfires to flash flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms that dumped a few inches of rain in a short period of time.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
  • Investors have followed Burnham's path to 10 Downing Street with some consternation, amid fears of a leftward lurch by Labour and a more fiscally loose approach to public spending.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of lurch

Phrases Containing reel

Browse Nearby Words

reeky
reel
reeled
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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on reel

Nglish: Translation of reel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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