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
On Wednesday night in the U.S., CNBC was able to view several posts on Instagram reels that appeared to show dead bodies, graphic injuries and violent assaults. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025 The blogger expressed her jubilance in an Instagram reel. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
Population growth, hurricanes and a vicious citrus greening disease have left the Florida orange industry reeling. Mike Schneider, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2025 The Kansas City Comets are reeling, ending a grueling six-game run with three straight losses and a mounting injury list. Nathan Dunn, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
  • Burke figures to be one of three pitchers with less than one year of service time who will begin the season in the rotation, joining Jonathan Cannon and Davis Martin.
    John Perrotto, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • If Schmidt remains on schedule, the fifth rotation spot is down to Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Lausanne, where pulsing house beats and spinning vinyl records defined an era.
    Roberta Naas, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Reductive as the outcome may be, the writer-director remains undeniably daring, spinning comedy from an inferiority complex and coming out on top.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • This contract meets the 10-year deferral requirement, and if the deferred payments are equally staggered over the 10 years, the second requirement would be met as well.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Depth behind Robinson is also question mark, a big reason why Thibodeau has to stagger his two centers.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This is the rock ‘n’ roll spirit that Gaga was never going to bring to her Tony Bennett-era collaborations — and the most she’s ever integrated her radical and traditionalist sides in one song. 26.
    Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This design celebrates the aircraft’s storied past and bridges the gap between aviation heritage and rock ‘n’ roll culture.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • On the longer three-day voyages, guests will also be taken to the sand dunes of Taka Makassar, a snorkeling excursion at Manta Point — naturally with plenty of manta rays to swim with — and a trip to Mawan Island for more swimming, hiking or just relaxing on the beach.
    Adam Morganstern, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Spend your days tanning on the beach, or get active hiking trails with panoramic views, riding buggies through rolling hills, whale watching or swimming with stingrays at Stingray City.
    Danielle Pointdujour, Essence, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Rattan is fabricated into furniture using rattan poles or by weaving thinner strips of rattan cane into wicker styles, like the banquette in this coastal kitchen by designer Marina Hanisch.
    Monika Biegler Eyers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Our biases are woven into the very fabric of our existence, shaped by our experiences, cultures and societal norms.
    Mani Padisetti, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • His right rear wheel got loose and came off, sending him straight to the outside wall.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Paranoid – Black Sabbath If Black Sabbath was the birth of doom, Paranoid was the moment the monster lurched to its feet, six stories tall and stomping toward the future of heavy music.
    Darryn King, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Still, the cost is low compared with historical home prices that saw fast growth after the Great Recession then lurched further skyward during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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