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
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
In a post on X-formerly-Twitter, Polymarket shared mock-up images of the establishment, which appears to be plastered wall-to-wall in news reels, stock tickers, and weather stations.
—Joe Wilkins Published Mar 19, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
There were no recruiting rankings, no highlight reels, no brand consultants evaluating market value.
—Mark J. Friedlander, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
To put the sheer magnitude of that data in perspective, if F1 were shot on 35mm film, the physical reels would make one of these scenarios possible.
—Craigh Barboza, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
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
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
Noun
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
In a post on X-formerly-Twitter, Polymarket shared mock-up images of the establishment, which appears to be plastered wall-to-wall in news reels, stock tickers, and weather stations.
—Joe Wilkins Published Mar 19, Futurism, 19 Mar. 2026
There were no recruiting rankings, no highlight reels, no brand consultants evaluating market value.
—Mark J. Friedlander, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
To put the sheer magnitude of that data in perspective, if F1 were shot on 35mm film, the physical reels would make one of these scenarios possible.
—Craigh Barboza, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
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
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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
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Especially with everyone thinking black paint and black wheels and all black everything makes for a badass vehicle.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nelson’s 1975 album spins a yarn about a fugitive on the run after killing his wife and her lover.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The value proposition increases for casino players in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (50 bonus spins in each state) who receive secondary perks on top of the sportsbook bonus.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 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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Different departments volunteer to host 20-minute activity rotations for the kids, ranging from cupcake decorating and pizzamaking to games and contests.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
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Los Angeles also has two former MVP's in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman and one of the most lethal starting rotations in the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 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
-
Someone with an egg allergy eating the rolls could suffer anything from discomfort to death, depending on the severity of the allergy.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Try an alternative method with bird netting sold in rolls at garden centers.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matthew Fogel’s screenplay, which mostly pays lavish fan service to its inspiration, also weaves in a few emotional elements.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Mar. 2026
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Stanley also weaves in a look at the 1980s — a time that seems so long ago and yet also, for some, like yesterday.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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 6 Apr. 2026.
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