as in grinding
to reduce to fine particles
a demonstration of how dried kernels of corn were milled in colonial times
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of milling
On a recent Wednesday evening, a visitor can hear the clamor of customers milling about at Books & Books.
—
Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
The room is jam packed with more than 400 people and dozens are left milling around outside, disappointed.
—Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026
On Sunday morning, COTA’s paddock is buzzing with team staff, engineers, media personnel and even what appears to be a few Netflix cameramen, all milling about, the pre-race energy palpable.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Another placed more tumbleweed in the path of the dozens of extras milling about.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Suzuki was received as a celebrity by ex-Moonies milling around on the grass.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Dozens of people were milling about.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
More civilians were seen milling out on the streets of Caracas today.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
All those giant creatures milling about.
—Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
The room is jam packed with more than 400 people and dozens are left milling around outside, disappointed.
—Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026
On Sunday morning, COTA’s paddock is buzzing with team staff, engineers, media personnel and even what appears to be a few Netflix cameramen, all milling about, the pre-race energy palpable.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
Another placed more tumbleweed in the path of the dozens of extras milling about.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Suzuki was received as a celebrity by ex-Moonies milling around on the grass.
—E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Dozens of people were milling about.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
More civilians were seen milling out on the streets of Caracas today.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
All those giant creatures milling about.
—Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milling
Verb
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Those declines reflect a long list of new questions facing the business world — from the cost of oil coming out of the Middle East and supply chain disruptions to consumer confidence and the grinding uncertainty.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
3 Mar. 2026
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But Ejiofor remained patient, grinding behind the scenes to prepare for his opportunity.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just around the corner from Cheryl Schulz’s ice cream shop in downtown Noblesville, there’s pounding noises that could only come from heavy construction machinery.—
Jake Allen,
IndyStar,
3 Mar. 2026
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Drone footage captured the heart-pounding rescue on camera.—
Cameron Harrison,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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His win in Istanbul in 2019 represented a crushing blow to Erdogan, whose own political ascent began as the city’s mayor.—
Beril Akman,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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For too many New Yorkers, a single emergency can mean eviction or crushing debt.—
Tiffany Caban,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Milling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milling. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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