as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center
the kayaker had got sucked into the whirlpool, and his kayak was pinwheeling helplessly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pinwheel
Some of the outer rain bands and a few storms from Beta will pinwheel into the area from the east and southeast.
—
Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020
Observations of pinwheeling galaxies suggested that scaffolds of invisible matter held their stars together, while a repulsive form of energy drove galaxies apart.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 2020
The man in the white vest pinwheeled his arms, ushering volunteers through the pick-up line outside the Salvation Army Community Center on Fourth Street with military precision.
—Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, 25 Dec. 2019
According to the space agency, IC 2051 is a spiral galaxy, noticeable in its whirling, pinwheeling arms and a bar of stars cutting through its center.
—Fox News, 23 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for pinwheel
Dallas News, 20 Sep. 2020
Observations of pinwheeling galaxies suggested that scaffolds of invisible matter held their stars together, while a repulsive form of energy drove galaxies apart.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Jan. 2020
The man in the white vest pinwheeled his arms, ushering volunteers through the pick-up line outside the Salvation Army Community Center on Fourth Street with military precision.
—Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, 25 Dec. 2019
According to the space agency, IC 2051 is a spiral galaxy, noticeable in its whirling, pinwheeling arms and a bar of stars cutting through its center.
—Fox News, 23 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for pinwheel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinwheel
Verb
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In addition to the usual fitness center, there are yoga and meditation rooms, and complimentary stretching, yoga, and meditation classes are held on a rotating schedule throughout the week.—
Hannah Freedman,
Travel + Leisure,
13 July 2025
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That’s proven to be a fruitful investment for the Yankees, who have primarily rotated Bellinger in the three outfield spots but use him intermittently at first base, too.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
12 July 2025
Verb
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Joining Lake are a revolving panel of judges including Ross Matthews, fitness instructor Cody Rigsby, and actresses Dulcé Sloan and Dascha Polanco.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
2 July 2025
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State capitalization grants Since 1987, EPA has given states money for revolving loan programs that provide low-interest loans to state and local governments to clean up waterways and provide safe drinking water.—
Janet McCabe,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
Verb
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When the veteran shortstop made a spinning midair throw to Toro for the first out of the ninth, the crowd roared.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 July 2025
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The truck was rear-ended by a Dodge pickup, which subsequently spun and was struck by a passing box truck, according to DPS spokesperson Raul Garcia Jr. The five injured were taken to a hospital, which included the driver of the pickup truck who suffered serious injuries, Garcia said.—
Michelle Cruz,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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The rerecorded third album twirled into our lives like a lavender dream during the Eras Tour in 2023.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
10 July 2025
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So as my partner and I clinked glasses and twirled under the moonglow, with our own wedding to plan and pay for in a few months, I was racked by guilt for not having surer footing.—
Rohan Banerjee,
Time,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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