churned

past tense of churn
1
as in swirled
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 stirred
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 churned The desert — churned, sucked and acid-washed — rests in these graveyards of the Anthropocene. Cristina Dorador, The Dial, 14 July 2026 Indianapolis and central Indiana was under a tornado watch until early June 18, as severe weather churned its way across the Midwest in two rounds of storms. John Tufts, IndyStar, 18 June 2026 Joe Picard perched atop a precarious mound of 300-plus-pound high-explosive shells as his ship churned toward Normandy’s beaches. Kevin Maurer, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026 One activity quickly became a standout moment when the children churned their own butter while Miranda’s husband, dressed in an inflatable cow costume, led the demonstration and kept everyone laughing. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026 The rumor mill has churned up little evidence, though, that suggests either company (or AMD) has any near-term plans for a major graphics card launch. Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 28 May 2026 By expanding by four teams to a 12-team league next season, the league also has churned the market for coaches and GMs. ABC News, 26 May 2026 Debate over the safety of mifepristone has churned for more than 25 years. Mark Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 Don’t miss suja, or black tea churned with butter and salt, which shows up everywhere from afternoon monastery visits to morning breakfast spreads. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churned
Verb
  • The gold confetti that swirled around MetLife Stadium in New York on Sunday as Spain celebrated winning the World Cup had yet been cleaned up when the fight over the next tournament already began.
    Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Headlines from around the country swirled about how the lengthy US government shutdown left local municipalities without the necessary funds to prepare for millions of people coming to the US.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • On Wednesday, Argentina player Lisandro Martínez was asked if the banner could have stirred deep emotions and tears for a veteran of the Malvinas conflict.
    Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
  • This helps the shells to keep their shape once stirred together with the dressing and mix-ins.
    Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 14 July 2026
Verb
  • The shepherd observed as Underwood boiled and stirred and filtered his brew.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.
    Mary Ella Hastings July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
Verb
  • The straw can go on the top rack, and the gasket and spout can be washed in the utensil rack.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2026
  • Buying directly from a local producer may provide an opportunity to ask questions about how food is grown, harvested, washed, stored and transported.
    Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • Hamilton, minding his own business, had nowhere to go, and Russell clipped him and then spun into the gravel trap.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026
  • While spun as voluntary resignations, these sorts of shuffles typically indicate top brass — in this case, Netflix content chief Bela Bajaria — is looking to shake up its slates or thinks that fresh eyes are needed to guide programming.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • Dancers from Parsons whirled around in their stocking feet, finding their way through a crowd that included Astrid Hill, Chris and Christina Cuomo, and Lisa and Richard Perry.
    Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026
  • There are shirts being whirled all around me as disbelieving fans soak in the celebrations with their squad.
    Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Verb
  • When Burgess put both their names on the sign outside their Bridgeport, Connecticut, workshop, Fuller seethed.
    Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Despite performing alongside the Sailors, Burney quietly seethed over the way Guzmán treated the band, and Fernández in particular.
    Longreads, Longreads, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Churned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churned. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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