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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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 Get your brain churning and start your morning by testing out your knowledge. Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025 The night at Al Baretto ends with a flourishing of sorbet, with a waiter churning the white mound in an iced silver bowl. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025 The brutal, provocative opening scene featuring Xavier Dolan depicting the realism of bigotry and hate is stomach-churning, but fits into the dark atmosphere of the source material. Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Oct. 2025 The latest forecasts also follow twin hurricanes Humberto and Imelda that are churning in the Atlantic as well. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for churn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churn
Verb
  • Many rumors have been swirling around in Cleveland that more trades are imminent.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025
  • None of them became a symbol of the female liberation that was swirling in the culture at the time.
    Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Add bacon and cook until crisp, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Rose Glass' directorial debut is an ecclesiastical horror that offsets the fine line between devotion and delusion, all while stirring the painful emotions of loneliness and trauma.
    Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The women in your kitchen mixed the figs with walnuts, almonds, and sugar then boiled it all and stored it in clay pots for breakfast.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Water does not have to be boiled for handwashing, bathing and laundry purposes, but residents should be careful not to ingest it.
    Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jones appeared to target Bourne, who spun the opposite way of Jones’ throw.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • There are few cities in the world with the same head-spinning array of top-tier hotels as Venice.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Paul King had to walk by that poster every day on his walk to school, silently seething.
    Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Barkley waltzed into the end zone untouched, and the Eagles continued to leave many football fans seething.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Churn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churn. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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