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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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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of reel
Skyler Caruso, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Fletcher's Instagram reel gained 3.6 million views and over 37,000 likes.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Nissan has been reeling from weak demand in China and the U.S., prompting the Japanese automaker to take cost-saving measures such as corporate rejigs.
—Reuters, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reel 
Noun
The next day, the couple posted an Instagram reel that gave their followers another peek at their baby.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
Fletcher's Instagram reel gained 3.6 million views and over 37,000 likes.
—Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024
Verb
The Culver City studio was still reeling from a 2014 cyber attack that exposed employees’ personal information and revealed internal communications, damaging its reputation and leading to major financial losses.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Nissan has been reeling from weak demand in China and the U.S., prompting the Japanese automaker to take cost-saving measures such as corporate rejigs.
—Reuters, Detroit Free Press, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
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All those rotations have made the single a radio smash for the first time, and its ascent helps the singer match one of the most successful musical acts of all time in the country.Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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As part of a trio with Jeff Skinner and a right-wing rotation that included Hyman and Corey Perry, Henrique enjoyed a strong game with a 5-1 edge in shots and strong play on the penalty kill.Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Because Mercury spins on an axis with a miniscule tilt of just 0.01 degrees—almost perpendicular to its plane of orbit around the sun—the rims of all four of these polar craters cast permanent shadows within their depths.Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
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DeRozan drove to the middle of the lane and spun to the same left side of the key.Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Felecia, who returned home to find emergency medical workers swarming her driveway, staggered across the front yard toward her family, uncomprehending.Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 29 Dec. 2024
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That also staggers James and Hachimura, who is more of a power forward than a small forward positionally and can take on some of the bench scoring the Lakers are losing from Russell’s departure.Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Oscar winner has three Globe trophies to her name thanks to 1997's George Wallace, 1998's Gia and 1999's Girl, Interrupted. Kidman, 57, is on a roll with a whopping 17 Globe nominations and five wins.Jack Smart, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
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The bites without apple almost feel like a cinnamon roll, with a fluffy, baked texture even softer than a yeasted doughnut.Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As aquatic ecologist Dania Albini explains, swimming in most rivers is increasingly dangerous due to sewage fungus and algal blooms.Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 9 Jan. 2025
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Activities include yoga, meditation and duong sinh (an Indigenous form of tai chi) sessions and swimming in the saltwater pool; there’s also access to riverside saunas, bamboo bicycles to explore Hoi An and sunset river cruises.Lindsey Tramuta Roxanne Fequiere Luke Fortney Gisela Williams Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This means weaving compelling narratives around the numbers, bringing the human impact of inclusion to life.Julie Kratz, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
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There’s also a whisper of damask rose weaving throughout, adding an elegant touch without overwhelming the composition.Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The bodies were located in the wheel well area on Monday night at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the airline said in a statement to the Associated Press.Jeff Martin and Freida Frisaro, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
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In fact, each car wheel moves independently on the motion base.Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The past year provided yet another stretch of political tumult, as American leaders and voters lurched from one crisis to the next: from Donald Trump’s felony convictions to Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance and the election itself.David Remnick, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
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And this wasn’t just manifesting in terms of Trump in California, because there are a bunch of statewide ballot measures where people also seem to lurch a little rightward, right?Miranda Kennedy, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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