eddy 1 of 2

noun

Definition of eddynext
as in swirl
a circular movement of air or water The boat was caught in a powerful eddy.

Related Words

Relevance

eddy

2 of 2

verb

as in to swirl

Related Words

Dissimilar 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 eddy
Noun
Curved roof eaves meanwhile prevent eddies — swirling pockets of air — from producing more localized snow drifts. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 25 May 2026 Runs and eddies alternate with deep, brimming pools shaded by leafy trees. — Ted Janes, Outdoor Life, 21 May 2026
Verb
Spiders are also keen observers of the forest’s breath, barely perceptible air currents eddying through the trees, and place their webs strategically to intercept these drafts — and the insects that use them to boost their transit through the woods. — Rick Borchelt, Baltimore Sun, 11 Nov. 2024 The crowd eddied, some with batons dancing concentrically around the wheel of fire, others collecting around two young men in white. — Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for eddy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eddy
  1. swirl
  2. ripple
  3. reel
  4. bubble
  5. spin
  6. purl
  7. spiral
  8. trickle
Noun
  • Dessert is a simple but satisfying vanilla or chocolate soft serve (or a swirl).
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • But before the swirl of attention, there was a frantic search for a teen known in the community as an outgoing, charming athlete with infectiously positive energy who loved making people smile.
    — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of swirl
Verb
  • Before long, the neighborhood became a proving ground and creative hub for an eclectic music scene whose influence continues to ripple through Atlanta today.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 29 July 2026
  • Getty Images The aftermath of OpenAI’s Hugging Face breach continues to ripple throughout the tech ecosystem.
    — Tim Keary, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of ripple
Noun
  • Wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden delivered highlight-reel catches, while cornerback Benjamin St-Juste made a crucial interception.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The BookTok community quickly honed in on Iacono for the role of Liz’s neighbor Wes Bennett, creating reels of the dream casting before the adaptation was announced.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 July 2026
Definition of reel
Verb
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbling and aromatic.
    — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026
  • Criticism also bubbled up in Washington, much along party lines.
    — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of bubble
Noun
  • The mill has also added new indigo colors including browns and grays that wash down to show blue tones, as well as coated indigo denim that puts a different spin on the color.
    — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Not all break free of the eternal wheel of samsara, and each is caught in its dizzying spin at times.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The two halves of the hook move independently, enabling the device to knit or purl depending on which part picks up the first loop.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
  • There was no ocean, no sea in this part of Україна, only a purling river.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 May 2025
Definition of purl
Noun
  • Even though inflation has risen this year, higher energy costs account for most of the rise, and there is little sign of a generalized price spiral.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Stepping away from the app for a week or two, or just not checking first thing in the morning, can break the spiral.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of spiral
Verb
  • After that first defensive player is taken, a handful of other elite IDPs will trickle off the board.
    — Gary Davenport, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Climate anxiety is also trickling into literary fiction, as Rubsam points out.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of trickle

Browse Nearby Words

eddies
eddy
eddying
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Eddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eddy. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on eddy

Nglish: Translation of eddy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eddy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All