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V2 Vocabulary Building Dictionary


reel

verb

Definition: 1. to feel shocked or confused; 2. to whirl around and around in circles; 3. to move unsteadily; 4. to be struck or thrown back by something

Synonyms: spin, turn, whirl, stagger, teeter, waver

Antonyms: stand, steady

Tips: For the verb reel, think of a fishing-pole reel and how it is turned around in circles to reel in a fish. Now, think how dizzy you would get if you spun around in circles. This physical reeling (whirling, circling) might lead to emotional reeling (feeling dizzy, shocked). Use reel to denote feeling confused or shocked about something, especially something unexpected.

Usage Examples:

Still reeling from the shock of being fired, he was mumbling and incoherent when talking to his wife. (feeling confused and shocked, wavering)

I was able to ace him in tennis because he was still reeling from my previous shot. (feeling confused, feeling shocked, thrown off)

The Democrats are still reeling from all the seats they lost in the House. (feeling confused, feeling shocked)

Republicans are still reeling over losing the governor's race. (confused, shocked)


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