as in wheels
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 staggers
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 reels
Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Roughly two years after its launch, Italian state broadcaster RAI’s sales unit will be at Cannes, this time with a robust slate being presented to buyers with promo reels unveiled during two sessions of private screenings during the Cannes Marché du Film.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
The collection consisted of around 10 reels of film that were in bad condition.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The identification process unfolded quickly once the reels reached the conservation center.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Archivists examining the reels identified the footage as a Méliès production within 24 hours.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
After his death in 1937, his collection — including reels, journals and equipment — was passed down through generations, eventually ending up in McFarland’s possession.
—Ryan Brennan
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Amongst the rubble, filmmakers discover reels of home movies which would expose a shocking new chapter of the zoo’s history.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
As Hawaii reels from some of the worst flooding to hit the region in decades, one good Samaritan is taking to the waterways to paddle pets left behind to safety.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Chalamet then mimics opera singing before McConaughey reels him back in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Kansas City reels again Those arguments echo comments made two years ago.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
As the nation reels from last week’s fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good, the stars at Sunday’s 83rd Golden Globe Awards used the red carpet to protest the government agency.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
As another legislative session begins Tuesday, the mind reels backward to past years and the many controversies that have defined and reshaped the state’s politics.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Now, as Minneapolis reels from yet another tragedy making national headlines, Ross is at the center of debate over whether his actions during Wednesday’s confrontation were justified.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Ho’s funeral was one of dozens that have taken place across Hong Kong over the past weeks, as the city reels from the fire that killed, among others, toddlers, elderly citizens and foreign domestic helpers hired from Indonesia and the Philippines to look after them.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
Playoff games are often decided in the details; the possessions that don’t show up in highlight reels.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Roughly two years after its launch, Italian state broadcaster RAI’s sales unit will be at Cannes, this time with a robust slate being presented to buyers with promo reels unveiled during two sessions of private screenings during the Cannes Marché du Film.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
The collection consisted of around 10 reels of film that were in bad condition.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
The identification process unfolded quickly once the reels reached the conservation center.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
Archivists examining the reels identified the footage as a Méliès production within 24 hours.
—Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
After his death in 1937, his collection — including reels, journals and equipment — was passed down through generations, eventually ending up in McFarland’s possession.
—Ryan Brennan
april 20, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Amongst the rubble, filmmakers discover reels of home movies which would expose a shocking new chapter of the zoo’s history.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
As America reels from 9/11, something resonates within Franny and an unexpected tenderness begins to bloom.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
As Hawaii reels from some of the worst flooding to hit the region in decades, one good Samaritan is taking to the waterways to paddle pets left behind to safety.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Chalamet then mimics opera singing before McConaughey reels him back in.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2026
Kansas City reels again Those arguments echo comments made two years ago.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
As the nation reels from last week’s fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good, the stars at Sunday’s 83rd Golden Globe Awards used the red carpet to protest the government agency.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026
As another legislative session begins Tuesday, the mind reels backward to past years and the many controversies that have defined and reshaped the state’s politics.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Now, as Minneapolis reels from yet another tragedy making national headlines, Ross is at the center of debate over whether his actions during Wednesday’s confrontation were justified.
—Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 10 Jan. 2026
Ho’s funeral was one of dozens that have taken place across Hong Kong over the past weeks, as the city reels from the fire that killed, among others, toddlers, elderly citizens and foreign domestic helpers hired from Indonesia and the Philippines to look after them.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reels
Noun
-
None have wheels or are actually mobile like an RV or trailer.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Slip into the vinyl listening lounge as a local DJ spins records, the room vibrating like a low-key house party.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 May 2026
-
In that derelict playground, Lucy reminisces about her hippie youth, then spins in joyful abandon on a rusty carrousel.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like many Florida school districts, OCPS staggers start times to most efficiently use its school buses and drivers.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The first 10 minutes of the film are set in Norms, where a grungy man staggers in with a bomb, ranting about artificial intelligence.—
Fielding Buck,
Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Charlotte was hit hard — not just at key positions, but across the depth chart, affecting special teams units and even scout team rotations.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Brown said his rotations could change any day.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Republicans’ hopes of holding on to their slim majorities in the House and Senate may well hinge on the cost at the pump as the war against Iran lurches into its second week.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Mar. 2026
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But Wembanyama is on the short list of MVP favorites as the league lurches toward the playoffs, a list that includes former NBA champions Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of OKC, Denver’s Nikola Jokic along with Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Los Angeles’ Luka Doncic.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His wife, Janae, steps in with the apple fritters and cinnamon rolls.—
Jamiel Robinson,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
-
The bakery will offer cakes, cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls and Gunther’s ice cream.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Lockwood takes different noises—from volcanic activity in Hawaii to spring peepers near the Mississippi River, crows around Essex, and hydroacoustic signals in the Tasman Sea—and weaves a tapestry in constant flux.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Dolan dissects his estrangement from his mother after forty years of attempts at peace, and weaves in research and reportage about child abuse and trauma.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The unconscious Moon twirls into your 12th House of Whispers, inviting gentle reflection and rest that helps your inner world reorganize.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
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The dance world has often based its plaudits on how spectacularly performers can defy gravity with leaps, kicks and twirls.—
Mercury News,
Mercury News,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reels. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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