swirl

1 of 2

verb

swirled; swirling; swirls
Synonyms of swirlnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move with an eddying or whirling motion
swirling water
b
: to pass in whirling confusion
2
: to have a twist or convolution

transitive verb

: to cause to swirl
swirled her drink
swirlingly adverb

swirl

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a whirling mass or motion : eddy
b
: whirling confusion
a swirl of events
2
: a twisting shape, mark, or pattern
3
: an act or instance of swirling

Synonyms of swirl

Examples of swirl in a Sentence

Verb The water swirled around the drain. kept swirling her lemonade until the ice had melted and it was completely watered down Noun A swirl of smoke rose from the chimney. He painted swirls of color on the canvas. ice cream with chocolate swirls
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
As questions swirl about James’ future, ESPN reported that James representatives and the Lakers are engaged in talks the structure of a new contract. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 And just like us, the issues that divided them had swirled for well over a decade, driving animosity over the power of government, the meaning of liberty, and the rights of citizens. Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026
Noun
The frozen pink Cadillac at Westside Motor Lounge swirls together tequila, lime juice, strawberries and passion fruit for a tropical, tart and sweet slushy margarita. Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 21 June 2026 After all, Boy George is the performer who arrived in the early '80s in a swirl of makeup, ribbons and gender-blurring style that a lot of the culture found genuinely alarming when visible, joyful androgyny read as provocation to the status quo. Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for swirl

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of swirl was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swirl. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

swirl

1 of 2 noun
1
: a whirling mass or motion : eddy
2
: whirling confusion
lost in the swirl of events
3
: a twisting shape, mark, or pattern

swirl

2 of 2 verb
1
: to move with or pass in a swirl
2
: to be marked with or arranged in swirls
3
: to cause to swirl
swirlingly
ˈswər-liŋ-lē
adverb

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