twirling

verb

present participle of twirl
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

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 twirling Hands stretched, twirling as if being spun about. — ‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 These problems are so much more than any one mustache-twirling villain could ever hope to be. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026 On any other man, this level of villainy could be mustache-twirling and cartoonish. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026 The flowers of Love-in-a-Mist look like ballerina’s skirts twirling in the breeze. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026 Wow, Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) is a mustache-twirling villain right from the jump! — William Earl, Variety, 15 May 2026 Stephens never plays a mustache-twirling sadist, instead carrying himself with the unbearable confidence of a man truly convinced that his version of abuse and even murder is civilized. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026 Emmet Sheehan turned in perhaps his best start of the season Thursday, twirling six innings against the San Francisco Giants. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 May 2026 The mustache-twirling villain flees, both Half-ATs and full-on AT-AT Walkers come into play, and our hero and Grogu finish the job. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
  1. rotating
  2. revolving
  3. spinning
  4. twisting
  5. turning
  6. swirling
  7. whirling
Verb
  • With menus inspired by the seasons, rotating dishes, bold flavors and comforting classics adorn the menu, like their famous crispy fried chicken and their shrimp and grits.
    — Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Accommodation includes two owner’s suites—one with a rotating bed, the other with a reflecting pool—a spacious full-beam VIP, and four guest cabins.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 June 2026
Definition of rotating
Verb
  • The innovation used a revolving cylinder and a reversible wringer to separate and clean clothing.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • For those carrying tens of thousands of dollars in revolving debt, those interest charges can make the repayment process feel like a moving target.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Definition of revolving
Verb
  • Overcome Didier Deschamps’ side on July 9 – a tall order at the moment given how good Les Bleus look – and heads will be spinning at the possibilities that could await.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • But his head was spinning after a day of trying to prepare for F1 and F2 cars.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of spinning
Verb
  • When the Bosnian defender planted his right leg below Balogun’s right foot, the American inadvertently stomped on his right ankle, twisting it awkwardly.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Clark survived that threat of twisting her ankle.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of twisting
Verb
  • The Lakers have a history of turning undrafted players into NBA contributors.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Given modern advances, many organizations are turning towards auto-triaging by AI services and other digital tools to help ease the burden for physicians.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • And across the almost-year since, speculation has been swirling.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 July 2026
  • The American great had just lost to France’s Harmony Tan in the first round of the grass court major and questions about her future were swirling around this leafy corner of London.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Definition of swirling
Verb
  • For much of the past week, all that Colombia had been able to agree upon was the pre-eminence of Luis Diaz, who remained a whirling dervish throughout the match as his side’s outstanding player.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026
  • That’s the question that has been whirling around Hollywood since the news broke that Amazon MGM Studios was dropping the feature just months after Amazon entered into a $50 billion investment with Sam Altman’s OpenAI.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2026
Definition of whirling

Browse Nearby Words

twirled
twirling
twirls
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Cite this Entry

“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on twirling

Nglish: Translation of twirling for Spanish Speakers

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