to reel

Examples

• All

• The figure stepped down the bank, reeling slightly as if exhausted or wounded.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Then Hector gave Brandon a shove that sent him reeling against one of the seats.

  Fiction book (1995)

• I turned away and felt myself reel, as if I'd stared too directly at the sun.

  Fiction book (1997)

• The light almost blinded him, and he reeled back against the wall, shading his eyes.

  Fiction book (1992)

• Some of us are still reeling from recent failures, social rejections, bad grades, insecurities, and hey, even senior spring.

• Archer headbutts Castor, who reels, snagging his leg around the chain.

  Fiction book (1997)

• By late October of 41 London was reeling under a hailstorm of German bombs called the Blitz, and life in America was energised with the knowledge of what was inevitable.

  Shining Through (1992)

• After the sudden announcement, he began to reel backward, struggling to regain his balance.

• The unexpected news made her reel with disbelief, as she tried to comprehend what had just happened.

• As the roller coaster plunged downwards, I could feel my stomach reel from the sudden drop.

Synonyms

S

to stumble

vsto reel

103 1.6

To trip or lose balance while walking and almost fall

is broader and may happen without tripping or catching a foot

S

to stagger

vsto reel

57 4.0

Walk in an unsteady way as if about to fall

is not tied to a cause and focuses on uncontrolled motion instead

L

to lurch

vsto reel

40 5.6

To move suddenly and unsteadily, often forward or to one side

is more about general uncontrolled motion rather than sudden jerks

C

to careen

vsto reel

23 7.7

Move quickly and out of control, often from side to side

is slower or not necessarily fast and focuses on unsteady movement

T

to totter

vsto reel

8 4.8

To walk in an unsteady way as if about to fall

is more uncontrolled movement rather than a simple unsteady walk

F

to falter

vsto reel

2 5.6

To move or lean in a way that looks like it might fall

is more uncontrolled movement rather than hesitant or weak steps

D

to daddle

vsto reel

• Archaic

1 9.9

To walk with small, unsteady steps

is broader and applies to any unsteady movement not only walking

W

to wamble

vsto reel

• Archaic

1 9.9

To move unsteadily while rolling from side to side

is less patterned and focuses on uncontrolled unsteady movement

C

to coggle

vsto reel

9.9

To walk in a wobbly way as if about to fall

is less about uncertainty and more uncontrolled physical movement

Antonyms

B

to balance

286 2.0

To keep something steady so it does not fall

S

to steady

66 3.4

To make yourself or something stop moving

Phrasal Verbs

R

to reel off

• Informal

4 5.0

Say a list of things quickly and easily

R

to reel off

1 5.8

Pull something off a reel or spool

R

to reel with shock

1 7.2

To feel so shocked for a short time that you cannot think or speak

Compounds

H

highlight reel

10 4.1

A short video showing the best and most exciting moments of an event

V

Virginia reel

• US

1 9.1

A country dance where two lines of couples face each other and do lively steps

S

Scottish reel

1 7.0

A lively Scottish folk dance with fast music and round gliding steps

How Unsteady

to collapse

645 3.9

to reel

4 4.6

to stagger

57 4.0

to lurch

40 5.6

to stumble

103 1.6

Surface Forms

Etymology