churn

verb

Definition of churnnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 churn Other factors sending Treasury yields higher are also continuing to churn, including worries about the big debt loads that Washington and other governments worldwide are supporting. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026 In the churning, deep waters of the Bay of All Saints, conventional construction equipment doesn’t stand a chance. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026 Two other powerful storms were churning in the Atlantic Ocean but were not near land. — Eugene Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 Farther out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Nolo was churning about 305 miles south of South Point, Hawaii. — Megan Janetsky, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for churn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churn
  1. swirl
  2. stir
  3. boil
  4. spin
  5. seethe
Verb
  • Rumors are swirling that Amazon has already tapped Jack Lowden, star of Slow Horses and husband to Ronan, to be the next 007.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026
  • But despite the reassurances from Russia's government, the lack of any clear explanation for Shiplova's death has left rumors to swirl about what might have killed her, and what work might be underway at the Russian research center.
    — Tucker Reals, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of swirl
Verb
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • To English leftist folkies, lately stirred by Bertrand Russell and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the lyric, coming from Dylan, would cut through the anti-Americanism not uncommon in their midst.
    — Sean Wilentz, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Meghan shows a pot of berries boiling on the stove, and pans over to little Lilibet, wooden spoon in hand.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In the end, director Duong, recognizing Aunt Hanh’s residual indignation, lances that boil.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • Bubba Wallace exited the Bank of America 400 on Lap 77 after Alex Bowman spun into him near the bank on the Turn 2 corner exit on Sunday in a race eventually won by Chase Briscoe.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The track hoe operator repeatedly spun the machine to the west, dug into a mound of sand, spun 180 degrees and dropped the sand.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The frustration that seethes through the show is often born of the disappointment that a form as quicksilver and astounding as songwriting can be yoked to small-minded and propagandistic ends.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Tom Rhys Harries seethes as Matt Hagen, a pretty boy who loses his looks only to regain them from an experimental procedure that makes a jumble of his psyche.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of seethe

Browse Nearby Words

churls
churn
churned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Churn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churn. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on churn

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about churn

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