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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinwheel
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
Observations of pinwheeling galaxies suggested that scaffolds of invisible matter held their stars together, while a repulsive form of energy drove galaxies apart.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 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
Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020
Observations of pinwheeling galaxies suggested that scaffolds of invisible matter held their stars together, while a repulsive form of energy drove galaxies apart.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 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
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But internal controls, like segregation of duties, dual approvals or rotating high-risk job functions, don’t signal distrust.—
Toby Braun,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
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Flay was among the rotating celebrity chefs who competed with Burrell, appearing in four seasons.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
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The central theme of Season 2 revolves tightly around how well Sauron can narcissistically charm his way into the hearts of those around him, until, like a frog in a slow-boiling pot, the objects of his desires realize they’ve been manipulated the entire time.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
8 May 2025
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In a sport that revolves so much around India, Australia and England, it’s been a breath of fresh air that South Africa made a barnstorming run to the final.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Versant, which will be lead by CEO Mark Lazarus when Comcast spins the company off later this year, has been building up a corporate structure — with several executives coming from NBCU’s news operations.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
18 June 2025
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The iconic address’ upstairs is all about pitchers of local wheat ales and country DJs spinning Morgan Wallen hits, yet the basement steakhouse is where the sweet tunes from the sizzling stovetop can be heard.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Verb
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Latour was masterful in the pitching circle, twirling a complete-game shutout while scattering four hits and striking out eight in a 4-0 win for D-R. Latour came through at the plate, too, notching two hits and an RBI.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2025
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Pitchers who heave triple-digit fastballs and twirl nasty breaking pitches damage their arms.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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