CHURNING Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

churning

verb

present participle of churn

as in swirling

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

as in stirring

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 churning On Thursday, July 16, federal health officials said lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants had been linked to the ongoing outbreak of the stomach-churning parasitic infection. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 17 July 2026 It's been a tough season for the four-time champ, who currently sits down in P7 in the standings, and that's because the rumor mill has been churning about his future with the team. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2026 Though the country’s exports have been churning along at an extraordinary pace — China shipped a record $412 billion of goods last month — domestic consumption has sagged, leading some analysts to warn of a potential deflationary spiral. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 15 July 2026 Several cases of cyclosporiasis, a stomach-churning illness caused by a parasite often found on produce and herbs, have been recorded in Kentucky. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 15 July 2026 Dupuis still shreds on 1331, but her guitar takes a supporting role this time, churning along with the industrial percussion that powers the catchy but often chorusless tracks. — Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 14 July 2026 The internet’s reactionary machinery is churning at full force after Graham’s sudden death and Mitch McConnell’s illness. — Olivia George, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 If anything, though, the core issue with the churning remake machine has always been Disney’s reluctance to take risks with their material. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 July 2026 Elsewhere, stocks have been on even worse stomach-churning rollercoasters. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for churning

Verb

The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The assertion was intended to clear up confusion that began swirling over the weekend around a false positive test from the Food and Drug Administration—which Taylor Farms celebrated, sparking confusion.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of swirling

Verb

Add the onion and rosemary sprigs and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and beginning to caramelize.

— Laura Mclively, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is softened and golden brown, 6–8 minutes.

— Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 July 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

Expectation that James would announce his next team soon, boiling for weeks now, became red hot over the weekend.

— Joe Vardon, New York Times, 23 July 2026
This is a great pick for anyone who likes their pasta al dente—the combination of semolina and lupini means each noodle retains a satisfying amount of bite after boiling.

— Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 July 2026

Definition of boiling

Verb

With only 23 minutes of oxygen left, Foale and cosmonauts Vasily Tsibliev and Alexander ‘Sasha’ Lazutkin were able to repair the damage and stop the tumbling spacecraft from spinning wildly out of control.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 July 2026
Attendees are welcomed into the Nickelodeon activation with bubbles, a slime fountain and a big orange DJ stand spinning cartoon classics.

— Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026

Definition of spinning

Verb

The Argentina fans roused themselves, whirling their shirts above their heads.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
For much of the past week, all that Colombia had been able to agree upon was the pre-eminence of Luis Diaz, who remained a whirling dervish throughout the match as his side’s outstanding player.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026