reel off

verb

Definition of reel offnext
1
as in to recite
to give from memory he's able to reel off the names of all the U.S. presidents, in historical order and without pausing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to list
to specify one after another her friend proceeded to reel off the roster of losers that she had dated over the years

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 off And the rest Iowa has reeled off at least eight wins all but one non-pandemic season since 2013. — Eric Olson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Iowa has reeled off at least eight wins all but one non-pandemic season since 2013. — ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 The Catalans then reeled off Ferran’s trophy haul at the Spotify Camp Nou, over a four and half season haul following his $63 million (€55 million) transfer from Manchester City in late 2021. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026 Over the weekend, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a highly influential figure in the Revolutionary Guards, reeled off a maximalist set of demands for reopening the strait. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reel off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel off
  1. recite
  2. list
  3. memorize
  4. detail
  5. outline
Verb
  • The arc of this feud is now well known to all and will no doubt be shaped into the epic poetry our descendants recite in front of bonfires long after our civilization collapses.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In Lima, Peruvians crossed themselves and recited the rosary before a life-size silicone statue of the pontiff outside a church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of recite
Verb
  • The manufacturer lists approximately 2,485 miles with a 40,000-pound payload.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Then came an Excel spreadsheet, listing some 20,000 voters by name, date of birth and address.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of list
Verb
  • Sales reps can memorize feature lists and battle cards, but no one knows developers quite like other developers.
    — Kevin Cochrane, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That relationship is more useful to me than memorizing exactly which way the W should point.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of memorize
Verb
  • El Salvador’s representative to the United Nations condemned the attack, detailing the ambush for members of the Security Council.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Documents detailing meetings in April and August between the government, the WHO and other health partners, reviewed by Reuters and not previously reported, show how efforts to act fast may have led to shortcomings.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of detail
Verb
  • Minutes from the April 19 meeting outlined how the government opted for just one round of readiness checks before launching its emergency vaccination program due to time constraints, instead of the typical four rounds.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Trump’s post outlining a clear plan for construction complicates a federal court hearing scheduled for Monday in a lawsuit filed by the DC Preservation League and two golfers opposing the construction.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of outline

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reeling off
reel off
reels
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Cite this Entry

“Reel off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel%20off. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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