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
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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
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
Verb
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Against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, and Leeds United, Fernandez and Cole Palmer have shared responsibilities across the No 10 and left wing positions, rotating in-game to keep opponents guessing.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Automatic litter boxes are designed with safety features to prevent them from rotating or closing while your cat is inside.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The two albums were recorded concurrently in Laurel Canyon with a band featuring guitarist David Garza, bassist Sebastian Steinberg, and keyboardist Tyler Chester, along with a revolving suite of drummers.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
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For so many years, the revolving dinner parties on the block were a lifesaver, a gentle valve release, a chance to forget the gray landscape of winter in Rochester or celebrate its beautiful summers.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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My anxious imagination just spins constantly into possible futures.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The Chook on South Pearl Street looks discreet from the outside — a flat, black entry — though its interior is warm and open-air, and the rotisserie that spins in the back of the room makes the place smell heavenly.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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American rapper and producer Snoop Dogg received a guard of honor and was greeted with twirling white towels on Tuesday on his first visit to Swansea City since becoming an investor with the Welsh side last year.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
25 Feb. 2026
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The brutal tumble down the ice, those skis with knife-sharp edges twirling as the snow cloud engulfs her.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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