churn

1
as in to swirl
to be in a state of violent rolling motion a churning sea made getting to the island a risky undertaking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly churn the cream until it turns into butter

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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 churn As long as that powerful engine is running, hurricanes will be churning. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 5 Sep. 2025 On Earth, tectonic plates churn up and recycle our planet's interior through a process known as convection that would smooth out such lumps at a faster rate. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025 Still, the world keeps churning. Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025 The frigid water of the bay churned 220 feet below him. Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for churn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churn
Verb
  • Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill is already being swirled around in trade rumors.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As their mismatched personalities stir tension with each other — and the group — old resentments bubble up, forcing them to reckon with their relationship and the lives waiting for them back home.
    Hannah Kerns, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Cook stirring frequently until walnuts are coated, about 5 to 6 minutes.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • How to hard boil an egg Let’s start with the basics.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In communities without clean water, families often burn wood to boil contaminated water, contributing to both deforestation and emissions.
    Sivan Yaari, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Waterspouts are spinning columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • While most broths are perfectly serviceable for rounding out the flavors of a soup or giving a brothy head start to a braise, Epic provides the kind of gelatine-rich base that is worthy of spinning up into a ramen broth for weeknight noodle duty.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sounders defender Yeimar Andrade, 33, approached and separated Suarez and Vargas, who was laughing and celebrating the victory with his teammate Cody Baker, 21, as a seething Suarez looked on.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025
  • To Bondi and her allies, the outdated portraits offered proof that the department was riddled with suspect personnel seething at the election results.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Churn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churn. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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