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pinwheel

verb

Definition of pinwheelnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pinwheel Forecasters warned of the arrival Thursday into Friday of a second intensifying low pressure area, which will pinwheel around the first bomb cyclone in an atmospheric interaction known as the Fujiwara Effect. — Andrew Freedman, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024 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 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
  1. rotate
  2. revolve
  3. spin
  4. twirl
Verb
  • Instead, Toner suggests rotating a small selection of art or notes on a bulletin board or magnetic frame or bulletin board somewhere else in the kitchen to keep the room and fridge looking clean.
    — Mallory Carra, The Spruce, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The council’s five permanent members hold veto power, while Africa’s three rotating seats offer no comparable influence over wars affecting the continent and beyond.
    — Mogomotsi Magome, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Prime Video continues to be one of the most baffling streaming services, from dull originals like Reacher to a revolving catalogue of films that never saw the light of an actual movie theater.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • During the day, my mother worked as a sales clerk at the Woodward’s store downtown, in the building with the red revolving W on top.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of revolve
Verb
  • Wilson wrapped up and spun Mateer on a quarterback sack, the ball coming loose again, with Cole opportunistically on the spot to scoop up the fumble and return it 23 yards to the Oklahoma 11.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • In 2025, the brand launched the Cotton Project, a T-shirt and denim collection made of cotton grown, ginned, spun, knit, cut and sewn all within a 400-mile radius of the brand’s headquarters.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The Bombers took care of the BoSox in last year’s Wild Card when Cam Schlittler twirled eight scoreless innings and struck out 12 against his hometown team in a do-or-die Game 3, his postseason debut.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Ornate crystal fixtures illuminated the grand ballroom as dancers in Prohibition-era attire twirled to the music.
    — Michelle Polizzi, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of twirl

Browse Nearby Words

pinup girls
pinwheel
pinwheeled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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