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
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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The Oceanside family visits the Safari Park or the San Diego Zoo weekly, rotating between the two parks.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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Action comes fast, but surrounds guests, as the coaster cars rotate around a hurtling asteroid.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, Solo Brands conducted a credit agreement restructuring that revised Solo Brands’ capital structure with a $90 million revolving facility, a new $240 million term loan, pay-downs of outstanding amounts and an extended maturity to June 30, 2028.—
Mark Curriden,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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This produces a beautiful floating impression and removes the aerodynamic drag brought on by revolving wheel surfaces.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The stellar body that spawned the remnant lingers on as a fast-spinning neutron star, or pulsar, which was detected in observations made by NASA's Chandra Space Telescope back in 2015.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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While Morikawa, who had a three-shot lead with five holes to play, spun his wheels; Russell Henley produced a dramatic late charge to steal the tournament.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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