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
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Recent Examples of reel
Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, April 21, Hewitt and her go-to colorist, Nikki Lee, posted a joint Instagram reel to share a cute transformation moment.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The extent to which the drought impacts crop yields will most likely depend on how long conditions last, but farmers are already reeling from the consequences of these higher input costs.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reel
Noun
And healing from major surgery can also be taxing and uncomfortable—more than even a 30-second Instagram reel with graphic recovery photos could possibly convey.
—Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
On Tuesday, April 21, Hewitt and her go-to colorist, Nikki Lee, posted a joint Instagram reel to share a cute transformation moment.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The region is reeling from devastating wildfires, immigration raids and the upending of the state governor’s race.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
The extent to which the drought impacts crop yields will most likely depend on how long conditions last, but farmers are already reeling from the consequences of these higher input costs.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reel
Noun
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Steele is now unlikely to rejoin the Cubs’ rotation until after the July All-Star break, Counsell estimated.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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The right-hander, who has been the steadiest pitcher in the rotation, blanked the Washington Nationals over six innings in an 8-0 win.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Similar to how spiders spin webs on Earth, such robots could effectively 3D-print structures in space.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
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My biggest complaint is that while the main narrative does wrap up tidily, the story also spins forward in a way that demands a sequel (which Spufford is already working on).—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Together the strangers slung Haridasse's arms over their shoulders and staggered to the finish line as a trio.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2026
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The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, addressed concerns about giving one party too much power by staggering the new authorizations out over a 0-year period.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Among the items seized during the search were all ballots, tabulator tapes from the scanners that tally the votes, electronic ballot images created when the ballots were counted and then recounted, and all voter rolls from the 2020 election.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
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Weekend menus include shrimp and grits, strawberry tiramisu waffes and a giant s’more cinnamon roll.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The stream rushed by, as clear and inviting as the nearby lake that their father forbade them from swimming in.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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Less than a year later, long-time boys swim coach Ed Walsh died of brain cancer.—
Krystle Rich,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But where limestone is crumbly and opaque, nacre’s toughness and light-bending properties come from silklike proteins that weave among the layers, holding them in place while providing enough elasticity to absorb the shock of a fracture.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
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Never tested in orbit, NASA’s robot could, in theory, perform tasks like weaving solar power stations and antennae in space from spools of carbon fiber.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Heart-stopping video from inside a school bus showed nearly a dozen Mississippi middle school students jumping into action after their bus driver lost consciousness Wednesday behind the wheel.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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The new wheel taxes will generate an increase of $344,732 annually, which the town can only use for street paving.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wembanyama lurched forward, toppled and slammed the right side of his face on the floor.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
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When robots lurched, slipped, and occasionally froze mid-stride at the 2026 Beijing half-marathon on April 19, the internet quickly turned the spectacle into a meme.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reel. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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