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

Following that will not be straightforward and, in the short-term, Howe’s departure will do little to calm the angst which has been swirling around the club in recent weeks.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Way back in the spring of 2024, rumors began swirling that BMW was working on what would effectively be its equivalent of the G-Wagen or the Land Rover Range Rover.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026

Definition of swirling

Verb

Cook gently over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching the bottom of the pot.

— Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
The Sun in your 4th House of Home opposes Pluto in your 10th House of Career, stirring pressure around family needs, professional expectations, privacy, and control.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2026

Definition of stirring

Verb

That’s right, rather than boiling in a separate pot, the pasta cooks right in the skillet, releasing its starches into the broth to create a creamy, glossy sauce.

— Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 26 July 2026
Elburn resident Dave Burroughs was charged with overseeing the task of boiling the corn at the fest.

— David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 26 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 systems also can spin up whirling columns of flame — usually a fire whirl, which Giannaros describes as a dust devil made of fire and heat instead of dust.

— Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
The Argentina fans roused themselves, whirling their shirts above their heads.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026