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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Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine in the company of live music and rotating art installations.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2025
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Wilcke: While the quarterbacks rotated early and often, Loftis and Harrell looked to be in a 1A-1B role, while Wilcke worked with the second team.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scenic designer Marty Burnett has once again created two large cabinet walls with pop-open panels for actors and stagehands to pass props through, but this time the walls revolve.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2025
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The central conflict revolves a lot around Lex Luther's attempts to defeat and destroy Superman.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Sierra Ferrell is also on board this boundary-blurring tour that will spin through the U.S. until July 1 with stops including Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Denver and Seattle before wrapping in San Francisco.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The cage spins along four independent axes at 60 seconds, 18 seconds, 15 seconds, and 60 seconds respectively, creating a stunning visual effect of synchronized motion.—
Matthew Catellier,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The off-the-shoulder, sleeveless top feels amazing in the sun, and the roomy high-low skirt is perfect for twirling—no matter your age.—
Robin Raven,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Apr. 2025
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Stick to pasta shapes that don’t need to be twirled.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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