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
Relevance
1
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
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Each film title is scanned in 2K or 4K — sometimes in HDR for enhanced detail — directly from the original camera negatives, reel by reel, then color graded and returned to storage.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 7 May 2025
Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
More witnesses would testify, and later, Melody — who was silent throughout the trial — would address the court in a dramatic and explosive statement that would leave her family reeling.
—Susan Mallie, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Noun
That fight lasted eight seconds, with Aldo delivering a highlight reel finish that is a must-see finish for those new to the sport.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Each film title is scanned in 2K or 4K — sometimes in HDR for enhanced detail — directly from the original camera negatives, reel by reel, then color graded and returned to storage.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 7 May 2025
Verb
Both were reeling from their previous relationships; Joel had recently divorced his first wife, Elizabeth Weber.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
More witnesses would testify, and later, Melody — who was silent throughout the trial — would address the court in a dramatic and explosive statement that would leave her family reeling.
—Susan Mallie, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
-
Plus, score trendy barrel pants and linen trousers to add to your workwear rotation.—
Emily Weaver,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
For our other go-to lawn care tools and gadgets that made it into our frequent rotation, keep reading.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
In a video posted by PBR, That Mexican OT spun away from a charging bull on two occasions, just barely escaping its horns.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2025
-
There are plenty of reasons to believe Milwaukee wouldn’t go for such an offer: Butler doesn’t exactly fit a rebuild timeline (and an unhappy Butler has made waves before), and spinning his sizable contract off to another team would likely prove difficult.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Their deployments were staggered over about 15 minutes, with each satellite relying on its own timed separation mechanism.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
3 May 2025
-
Perhaps the gorilla has a chance if its opponents were staggered, in a series of one-on-one battles until one of the men defeats the great ape.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Give any room a facelift with a roll of citrus, lilac, or stripe wallpaper from the collection.—
Maggie Horton,
People.com,
3 May 2025
-
And while sitting down for dinner in the last moments of the season, Anne reveals to the entire group that Ginny is pregnant with Nick's baby, just before the credits roll.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
Verb
-
Corey Walsh, 22, a plumber from Melbourne, was swimming with friends off a chartered boat near the island of Ko Racha Yai on Tuesday, May 6, when he was pulled by a strong current, according to The Age, 7 News Australia and News.com.au.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
12 May 2025
-
If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
McIlroy’s family history is woven into Northern Ireland’s past, which is marked by conflict, resilience and pride.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
-
The singer sported an intricate top for her time on the show — silver chains woven together to form a halter-neck shape.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
13 May 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 May 2025
-
Once the receiver end is attached to your screen, simply rotate the wheel on the handheld remote control to turn the page, capture a photo, or scroll TikTok.—
Cierra Cowan,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And now that governments in many rich countries have sharply lurched to the right and taken more skeptical stances on aid, this industry is collapsing.—
Zainab Usman,
Foreign Affairs,
5 May 2025
-
German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz was one of the first European leaders to grasp the long-term implications of the American lurch toward authoritarianism.—
David Axe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share