churned

past tense of churn
1
as in swirled
to be in a state of violent rolling motion a churning sea made getting to the island a risky undertaking

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2
as in stirred
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly churn the cream until it turns into butter

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of churned McMillan caught the pass between defenders and churned up the field. Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025 The frigid water of the bay churned 220 feet below him. Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 As Hurricane Erin churned off the North Carolina coast this week, its powerful waves destroyed most of the remaining sea turtle nests on Emerald Isle, dealing a blow to what had been shaping up as a successful nesting season. ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025 Auntie Kay’s question had churned up a whole country of pain inside the old woman. Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025 The news came as Hurricane Erin churned in the Atlantic, with warnings going out along the East Coast. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025 While many of the male students supported the women in their classes on an individual basis, tensions between them churned more generally. Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025 So far, the region has churned up two tropical storms, two potential tropical disturbances, and it's now being watched closely for the development of yet another system. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025 In the wake of a cyclone, surface water temperatures plummet, and nutrient-rich deeper layers are churned upward. Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churned
Verb
  • It can be blended into smoothies, swirled into oatmeal or yogurt, or used as a base for savory or sweet dips and sauces.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Lisa was a cotton-candy vision in her Lever Couture gown that brought the drama with a sweeping train and fabric that swirled around her hips and shoulders.
    Emily St. Martin, Oc Register, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That rich color, the soft texture of the suède, stirred in me all the promise of autumn, of a new school year, of a chance to have instead of to want—in other words, to finally be.
    Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The Exploremores have already stirred debate online.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • It is served baked, fried, grilled, roasted, slow-cooked, or boiled, either alone, with seasonings, or as soups, stews, chilis, casseroles, and tacos.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2025
  • These petite potatoes are boiled, then stir fried, tossed with a salty-sweet sauce and finished with sesame seeds, green onions and pepper flakes.
    Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Some dials may be removed and washed by hand to remove any grime or buildup.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Yet a surprisingly large number of dishes that are washed end up being washed by hand.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • With the Dolphins down 23-20, Washington bobbled the punt return, ran to the right then spun back left en route to a 74-yard punt return touchdown.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The room seemed to flicker as an aerial dancer on Virgin Voyages’ newest ship spun in circles against bright lights.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • After a Joey Estes fastball came near his head, Robles whirled around and chucked his bat at the pitcher.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Between events, Diamandis whirled around, making and cementing connections.
    Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Many also seethed over the fact that some of these same teams had memorialized George Floyd, the Black man murdered on video by Derek Chauvin, then a Minneapolis police officer, in 2020, whose death set off a nationwide wave of street demonstrations.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Churned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churned. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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