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 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
  • The bristles are neither too floppy nor too stiff, neither too long nor too short, and are cut to the perfect rounded shape that’s just right for swirling pigment over the apples or spreading it along your cheekbones—without having to work too hard for a completely natural finish.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • These familiar, turbulent morasses of swirling droplets continue to stymie scientists.
    Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Among them were Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, who served as hosts for a special reception and screening of director Marianna Brennand’s stirring narrative feature Manas.
    Stacey Wilson Hunt, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2025
  • That rich color, the soft texture of the suède, stirred in me all the promise of autumn, of a new school year, of a chance to have instead of to want—in other words, to finally be.
    Rachel Kushner, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Humans could be easily killed by radiation exposure, and the lack of atmospheric pressure on Mars or in orbit would cause a person’s blood to boil if they were exposed.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Take your time and make sure to boil and simmer as directed.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Delivering an incredible 280 Air Watts of suction through its fifth generation Hyperdymium capable of spinning at 135,000rpm, the flagship model boasts a number of other supporting technologies such as laser dust detection, whole-machine HEPA filtration, and a 70-minute runtime.
    Alex Harrington, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Gaudí’s structure is a head-spinning mixture of morphing geometrical forms, many inspired by nature.
    D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Colts’ late owner used to seethe over the fact that his team couldn’t find a way to win a Week 1 game, but the Colts’ 11-year streak — the second-longest in NFL history heading into Sunday — is now over thanks to a 33-8 rout over the Dolphins.
    Zak Keefer, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Churn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churn. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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