as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center
the kayaker had got sucked into the whirlpool, and his kayak was pinwheeling helplessly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 pinwheel
Forecasters warned of the arrival Thursday into Friday of a second intensifying low pressure area, which will pinwheel around the first bomb cyclone in an atmospheric interaction known as the Fujiwara Effect.
—
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Some of the outer rain bands and a few storms from Beta will pinwheel into the area from the east and southeast.
—Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020
The man in the white vest pinwheeled his arms, ushering volunteers through the pick-up line outside the Salvation Army Community Center on Fourth Street with military precision.
—Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, 25 Dec. 2019
According to the space agency, IC 2051 is a spiral galaxy, noticeable in its whirling, pinwheeling arms and a bar of stars cutting through its center.
—Fox News, 23 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for pinwheel
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Some of the outer rain bands and a few storms from Beta will pinwheel into the area from the east and southeast.
—Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020
The man in the white vest pinwheeled his arms, ushering volunteers through the pick-up line outside the Salvation Army Community Center on Fourth Street with military precision.
—Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, 25 Dec. 2019
According to the space agency, IC 2051 is a spiral galaxy, noticeable in its whirling, pinwheeling arms and a bar of stars cutting through its center.
—Fox News, 23 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for pinwheel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinwheel
Verb
-
Use a broom or vacuum cleaner with the rotating beater bar turned off (suction and stationary brush only).—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The central bank faces shifting dynamics this year, with a rotating cast of regional presidents that seems titled toward a more aggressive posture on fighting inflation and a chair-designate, Kevin Warsh, who is likely to push for lower rates.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Without Champions League football in 2026-27, there is every chance United will have to borrow money to spend significantly and dip back into their revolving credit facility — essentially, a bank overdraft — which funded much of last summer’s £215million expenditure.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On the positive side, there isn't too much panic on the credit side of the equation yet for the sector, according to one banker, with revolving lines of credit not yet being drawn.—
Seema Mody,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Taken together, these features strongly suggest the object was part of a bow drill — a device that spins a shaft using a bow and string to create rapid back-and-forth rotation.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The elusive, incredibly difficult jump involves launching forward, spinning 4 1/2 times in the air, and landing backwards.—
Alex Connor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Sun Ra twirled, his arms and wrists as fluid as a showgirl’s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Venus, planet of connection, is twirling into your sociable 11th house, enhancing group ties and reminding your independent heart to welcome supportive networks.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
