1
as in rotating
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
absentmindedly twirled a lock of her hair around her finger
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in revolving
to move in circles around an axis or center
an ice-skater twirling in place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of twirling
The world of dance has leapt long in fashion’s collective imagination—but the reign of the ballet flat may, finally, be twirling off.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
To stack the deck further, and to spur their champion into action, the writers throw in a sinister trio of private-equity investors who might as well arrive twirling their mustaches.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Those concrete ramps, red girders and twirling towers.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
American rapper and producer Snoop Dogg received a guard of honor and was greeted with twirling white towels on Tuesday on his first visit to Swansea City since becoming an investor with the Welsh side last year.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance.
—Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Katherine Barkman was a highlight as the first regiment’s baton-twirling majorette; surely Balanchine himself would have delighted in her playful musicality.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 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
Chuky said, twirling a thick finger at Adi’s rifle.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
To stack the deck further, and to spur their champion into action, the writers throw in a sinister trio of private-equity investors who might as well arrive twirling their mustaches.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Those concrete ramps, red girders and twirling towers.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
American rapper and producer Snoop Dogg received a guard of honor and was greeted with twirling white towels on Tuesday on his first visit to Swansea City since becoming an investor with the Welsh side last year.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance.
—Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Katherine Barkman was a highlight as the first regiment’s baton-twirling majorette; surely Balanchine himself would have delighted in her playful musicality.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 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
Chuky said, twirling a thick finger at Adi’s rifle.
—Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
Verb
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The kitchen runs a very cool rotating culinary collaboration with chefs from Rome’s most avant-garde eateries, alongside pop-up events and live music nights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Arrange pork chops on top of vegetables and continue to roast until pork registers 145 degrees and vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through roasting.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But now, instead of playing six notes, create this similar kind of a revolving pattern.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
An impressive revolving stage, which displayed both the exterior of the bank and the bland lobby inside, toggled smoothly between scenes.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It was recently formalized in a contract that provides continued access to NWI’s melt-spinning equipment and advanced processing facilities.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Keef spinning his designer wheels and only occasionally touching road.—
Dylan Green,
Pitchfork,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The latest to join the ranks is nicotinamide mononucleotide—or NMN—a slightly tongue-twisting name that’s been popping up everywhere, especially within celebrity circles.—
Alex Vance,
SELF,
31 Mar. 2026
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Before the words twisting in her mouth could emerge, a bespectacled cop materialized through the thin line of smoke, speeding past her, toward me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The key now is to foster stronger intracontinental dialogue—turning these events from mere entry points into active hubs of exchange among artists, institutions, and audiences.—
Smooth Nzewi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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The bus stopped abruptly after a Baltimore Police Department vehicle cut off the bus while turning into a private parking lot on Edison Highway.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After weeks of romance rumors swirling on social media, Batula and Wilson addressed the fan speculation in their joint Instagram statement.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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So much so, in fact, that rumors began swirling after the Bully leaks that Ye had been using AI to construct the album.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The whirling metal blades dominate the front yard with more frenzy movements than a four-year-old rushing to the bathroom.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
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The swirling, whirling mass approaches like a steam train, picking up thousands of tons of matter on its descent, throwing clouds of snow into the air as its gathers speeds of up to 130 kph (80 mph).—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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