churns

present tense third-person singular of churn
1
as in swirls
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 stirs
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 churns Forecasters are monitoring a busy Atlantic Ocean after Tropical Storm Humberto formed in the Central Tropical Atlantic, as Hurricane Gabrielle churns to the northeast, and a third potential cyclone threatens to follow. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025 As Hurricane Gabrielle churns in the open Atlantic, forecasters are watching two tropical waves that could soon develop – signs the slow hurricane season is beginning to heat up. Christopher Cann, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025 Beachgoers are being warned to stay off the sand and out of the water as Hurricane Erin churns toward New York, where it is expected to cause dangerous rip currents. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025 The buck kicks his feet, churns mud, and slings debris skyward. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2024 As Hurricane Milton churns toward Tampa Bay, scientists say the swiftly intensifying storm could bring historic devastation to Florida’s second-largest metropolitan area. Chelsea Harvey, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churns
Verb
  • The lights are dim and jazzy music swirls the intimate crowd.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
  • But as the trial date approaches and uncertainty swirls over what the lawsuit could mean for the future of stock car racing, many of the team owners expressed a feeling of urgency to see the litigation resolved and indicated the current charter system was vital for their continued existence.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Produced by the Basra Cinema Center, of which Alkadumy is executive director, the film centers on Ahmed, a child with a speech impediment who is continually dismissed during Quranic lessons until defiance stirs within him, setting off a silent confrontation with his authoritative teacher.
    Essie Assibu, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
  • As long as sports remains the straw that stirs TV’s drink, the ad dollars will continue to roll right in.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Once sugar is dissolved, cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture boils.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
  • How could something that boils water ever get dirty?
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Max spins Schadenfreude circles around Christian before towing him back to the boat with another Jet Ski.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Inside the all-glass DJ booth in the center of the room sits a rubber chicken for Steve (Joe Keery) to slap as a sound effect while Robin (Maya Hawke) spins records.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This is why Dijon’s language works best as sound, not narrative—his rangy, raspy voice seethes and triumphs, mocks and threatens; there’s no world in which his polygonal perspective can be discerned from a lyric sheet.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The contention over Bad Bunny's impending performance at the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show roils on.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The debate now roils state legislatures nationwide.
    Laurie Kellman, Twin Cities, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Churns.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churns. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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