1
as in to turn
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis rotate the mirror 180 degrees

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to revolve
to move in circles around an axis or center with mirrors on three sides, she rotated all around to see how the dress looked on her

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 rotate The couple also added international fare, Argentine dishes and rotating seasonal offerings to the menu. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025 Shifts are long and unpredictable, and often rotate between days and nights. Jason Truppi, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025 Because of injuries, Irvine rotated a number of players through the line. Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 There’s also a rotating flavor of the week. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rotate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rotate
Verb
  • He was arrested following a 33-hour manhunt after his parents recognized surveillance images of the suspect released by police and convinced him, with the help of a family friend, to turn himself in.
    Connor Greene, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Also, the tensions between Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Iyo could result in the latter turning heel on Vaquer during or after the match for the vacant WWE Women’s World Championship.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since cable cars can’t reverse, operators must physically turn each car on a revolving wooden turntable at the terminus.
    Maggie Downs, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Mid-summer changes to United’s revolving credit facility indicated a switch in strategy, and there was a more aggressive approach in the market following a summit in Iceland between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Two go-go dancers twirled on a bar behind them.
    Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
  • But then, in August of 2024, it got stuck — again — this time slowly twirling in a kind of ocean vortex known as the Taylor column.
    Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Delivering an incredible 280 Air Watts of suction through its fifth generation Hyperdymium capable of spinning at 135,000rpm, the flagship model boasts a number of other supporting technologies such as laser dust detection, whole-machine HEPA filtration, and a 70-minute runtime.
    Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Gaudí’s structure is a head-spinning mixture of morphing geometrical forms, many inspired by nature.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That kind of dexterity is apparent in the footwork, one of those features that can swing matches when the going gets tough.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • After the Blue Jays swung a trade to bring in Shane Bieber at this season's deadline, Edward Eng of FanSided's Jays Journal predicted the team would turn to him as a long-term replacement while letting Max Scherzer walk this winter.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • No, just experience twisting her hair into a bun and tucking the ends underneath.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The agents pushed him against a metal fence, put his hands behind his back and twisted his arm, according to the lawsuit.
    Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One camera mounted atop a parking structure can swivel 360 degrees and its zoom function offers a detailed view of a parking lot of an apartment complex across the road.
    John Wisely, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • The pair stood almost motionless in the middle of the road, ears swiveling, eyes calm but watchful.
    Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The bristles are neither too floppy nor too stiff, neither too long nor too short, and are cut to the perfect rounded shape that’s just right for swirling pigment over the apples or spreading it along your cheekbones—without having to work too hard for a completely natural finish.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These familiar, turbulent morasses of swirling droplets continue to stymie scientists.
    Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Rotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rotate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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