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

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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
In mid-September, Oprah posted an Instagram reel wearing the most divine sweater, which combined a fisherman knit with delicate lace trim. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 2 Oct. 2026 But recovering from a second knee injury in as many years offers time for reflection, including that highlight reel which birthed his legend almost 10 years ago. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
The primary came as the Chicago area reeled from arrests, deportations and violence that occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, the federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign last fall. — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 While the pop culture world is still reeling over Kelly Clarkson’s feud with a Brooklyn store, there’s a new online row bubbling up on X between Kacey Musgraves and Kristi Noem. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 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
  • But after a trade to Charlotte for center Mark Williams was rescinded, Knecht never settled back into the rotation.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Rookie guard Ryan Conwell might be ready to be in the Heat’s rotation sooner than some expected.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Allison worries everyday fans are being conditioned to see the diamond – or the court or the field – as slot machines and the human athletes as spinning symbols that sometimes align as dollar signs.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • That level of control precluded a Vatican media operation from spinning tall tales as occurred during John Paul's reign.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The decision to set that tone staggering through all 10 minutes of the extended cut might scan as raw inspiration, placing Spacemen 3 on a narrow band from La Monte Young and Terry Riley to some brilliant dro)))ne future.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The vice mayor and commissioners already serve four-year terms, though their terms are staggered.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of stagger
Noun
  • The idea grew from her work at Sunshine, where Mayer’s team concluded that about 60% of a typical camera roll is worth sharing.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Battles over voter rolls, citizenship and federal authority There are secretary of state contests in 26 states this November.
    — Thom Reilly, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • It’s estimated about 25% of the sunscreen people apply to their skin washes off while swimming or wading in the ocean.
    — Matthew Perrone, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Other marine mammals, such as harbor seals, have also been known to swim into the Delta.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of swim
Verb
  • With a bigger budget from Netflix, Sy and Leterrier leaned further into the show’s superhero-like qualities, expanding its universe beyond the novels of Maurice Leblanc and weaving some futuristic elements.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Rubio weaves stories about heartbreak, drugs, and the slippery, occasionally hallucinatory process of finding your way back to your own life.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of weave
Noun
  • According to company representatives, the system can slash air resistance around the trailer wheels and suspension components.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The lines ebbed and flowed, but attendees seemed most excited to spin the wheel at the Allure Beauty Box station.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of wheel
Verb
  • Sometimes the wagon will lurch forward on that initial pull before settling into your walking rhythm.
    — Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The alternative is a region that lurches from crisis to crisis, and from one extreme to another.
    — DAN RESTREPO, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reel

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