as in grinding
to reduce to fine particles
a demonstration of how dried kernels of corn were milled in colonial times
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 milling
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
Broadcasters vamped with images of players milling around while their producers scrambled.
—Harvard Business Review, 1 Jan. 2026
Lawrence took a cue from Beckham shortly thereafter, milling about New York City, with her own black Kelly left undone.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025
There were former players milling about before the game, representing both the Aggies and the Illinois State Redbirds.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025
The second is a striking moment when, after the frenzy of Apollo’s beating, the camera rests on the broken window, as the scene outside accelerates into a time lapse of people milling about and setting up a movie screen.
—Dennis Zhou, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
With so many actors milling around, not everyone gets enough to do.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
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
Broadcasters vamped with images of players milling around while their producers scrambled.
—Harvard Business Review, 1 Jan. 2026
Lawrence took a cue from Beckham shortly thereafter, milling about New York City, with her own black Kelly left undone.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 Dec. 2025
There were former players milling about before the game, representing both the Aggies and the Illinois State Redbirds.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 14 Dec. 2025
The second is a striking moment when, after the frenzy of Apollo’s beating, the camera rests on the broken window, as the scene outside accelerates into a time lapse of people milling about and setting up a movie screen.
—Dennis Zhou, New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2025
With so many actors milling around, not everyone gets enough to do.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 12 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for milling
Verb
-
Most entrepreneurs are grinding themselves into the ground following advice that wasn't made for them.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Archival footage illustrates, in pulse-pounding and nerve-rattling fashion, just how widespread calls for Rushdie’s murder were.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
-
By Jason Mackey Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PALM BEACH GARDENS — The pop of a catcher’s mitt mixed with saws screeching and hammers pounding provides an appropriate soundtrack inside Paul Skenes’ offseason workout facility, a baseball-lover’s paradise and an encapsulation of his unique personality.—
Tribune News Service,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Amid the disorder, the regime turned to a familiar playbook of crushing dissent.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Homeowners association fees for people living in condominiums or other multi-unit dwellings have been increasing year after year — doubling one year only to go up again the next — and the effect is crushing.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
Denver Post,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Milling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/milling. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
