reel 1 of 2

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

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
The Instagram reel shows Jones picking up the wombat and running away from its mother as the cameraman laughs. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025 Anderson, who was not in evidence at the show, had the previous day posted to his personal Instagram a short video that looked very much like a highlight reel of his tenure at Loewe; many commenters interpreted this as the designer’s public farewell to the brand. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
This all comes as the economy reels from Trump’s sweeping tariffs on U.S. trading partners after brutal few days for the stock market. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025 The referendum took place while much of Myanmar was still reeling from disaster, yet the junta announced a 98.12% turnout, of which 92.48% voted in favor of the new pro-military constitution. Tharaphi Than, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
  • Here are seven easy bedroom decor ideas to welcome your bedroom into its spring era—just in time, because your new wardrobe rotation is going to need a worthy photo backdrop.
    Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
  • While the two rookies, Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins, haven't been bad, the Red Sox likely don't want these two in the postseason rotation.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Here, guests will find Stardust Racers, a dual-track roller coaster, as well as Constellation Carousel, beautifully lit with animals that spin in different directions.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The president was poised to sign an executive order that would have spun TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new company, but that has been placed on hold in wake of the levies, a source familiar with the plans told The Hill.
    Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The law staggers the commissioners’ five-year terms so the president may appoint a new member annually.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In March, 1945, as the war staggered to a close, some two hundred Hungarian Jewish forced laborers were executed near Rechnitz.
    James Wood, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Officials fear patient care will deteriorate Legendary ’60s rock ‘n’ roll band with CT ties gets its due in documentary airing on public TV Legendary '60s rock 'n' roll band with CT ties gets its due in documentary airing on public TV New pharmacy opens in CT.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Place rolls, cut sides down, on a large rimmed baking sheet.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Go with the flow, but not toward the beach: Don't swim towards the beach against the rip current.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Watch diver swim alongside massive sunfish in Mexico Download USA TODAY's app to get to the heart of news A $2,300 iPhone?
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 5 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Produced by Tomás Cortés of Cine Animal and supported by Panama’s Ministry of Culture, the film weaves animation, archival footage and interviews to trace Guardia’s personal journey, fueled by his childhood memories of provocative Panamanian artist Julio Zachrisson’s odd yet captivating artworks.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025
  • However, as with that piece, Macdonald needed to find a bigger story to weave around this legendary moment in time.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 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, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The 360-degree spinner wheels ensure seamless gliding from check-in to your gate.
    Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the ruling did little to herald any political stability in the country, which has lurched from crisis to crisis.
    Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2025
  • For the last six weeks, Americans have been yanked and ghosted, lurched and launched with a merciless urgency.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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