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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of reel
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Known as the sportfishing capital of the world, Islamorada offers far more than rods and reels.
—Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
The Biden administration in March 2021 said because of political instability in the country, Venezuelans were eligible for the federal program, which has existed since 1990 to provide humanitarian relief to people from countries reeling from war, natural disasters or other catastrophes.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Noun
But, creating the scratch tracks that went along with our story reels, Chris used to do this voice all the time.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Known as the sportfishing capital of the world, Islamorada offers far more than rods and reels.
—Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025
Verb
Biden's cognitive decline has become the defining litmus test for Democrats now jockeying to inherit a party still reeling from Trump's return to the White House.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
The Biden administration in March 2021 said because of political instability in the country, Venezuelans were eligible for the federal program, which has existed since 1990 to provide humanitarian relief to people from countries reeling from war, natural disasters or other catastrophes.
—Daniella Silva, NBC news, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
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As these large-cap altcoins appreciate, further capital rotation occurs into mid-cap and smaller-cap altcoins.—
Cloris Chen,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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The Royals replaced Singer in the rotation with left-hander Kris Bubic.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
Verb
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The break-up between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is the battle that everyone saw coming, spinning into a tweetstorm of insults, unwanted revelations and surprising outbursts.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Alas, Bill never calls, and though Jenny spins it as the part of the rom-com where there’s a mix-up before true love prevails, that’s clearly not the case.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
Verb
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More than 80 tornadoes had been confirmed as of Monday morning, with areas of Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and Virginia − where two deaths were reported − staggered by some of the worst damage, AccuWeather said.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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Brown, his Superman strength sapped, mustered only five points in the second quarter, as Boston staggered to just 38 points as a team.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Call me sacrilegious, but there’s one place that a King’s Hawaiian roll tastes even better than the altar rail, and that’s at the beach.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
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The roll comes already dipped with soy sauce, so resist the urge to dunk each piece before taking a bite.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Still, seeing an animal that size in a place where people typically kayak, swim, and anchor boats is enough to give anyone pause.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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Kay Ali has a scent inspired by lush Hawaiian landscapes and bananas. Pisces, ruled by Neptune, swims between worlds.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
4 June 2025
Verb
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In weaving together these stories, Cuffy explores the varying shapes that grief, belief, and belonging can take.—Erin McMullen Buy Now: O Sinners!—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
6 June 2025
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Stone cut and wove plastic mats, industrial carpeting, and everyday fabrics into strange yet hypnotic composites for the floors and walls.—
Hannah Martin,
Architectural Digest,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Compacted soil can happen if there has been too much tillage, if wheels or machinery have been over the area, or even from excess foot traffic.—
Amelia Martin,
Hartford Courant,
31 May 2025
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Freeways are a no-no for the Grom and its 125cc friends, but on city streets, the light weight, small wheels and zippy motor are highly entertaining, and the Grom is easy to ride.—
William Roberson,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Juventus are lurching from one coach to the next with no real vision for the future, while the once-mighty AC Milan will miss out on Europe altogether next season and the likes of Fiorentina, Torino and Parma – all having won major trophies in the past – are shadows of their former selves.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Wednesday’s primetime debate between the leaders of the five main political parties in the Great North has changed its start time to avoid clashing with a hockey game that could lurch the Montreal Canadiens into this year’s NHL playoffs.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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