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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Aside from these roles, the show uses two casts of 150 people who rotate each week.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
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Following Kotb's departure, the fourth hour was retitled Today With Jenna & Friends, and saw Hager joined by a rotating cast of A-listers and colleagues to help her anchor the program.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The vases also reflect his perspective that design should slow down and allow consumers to hold onto items for longer than the fashion cycle typically revolves today.—
Sarah Jones,
Footwear News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Shinjuku Station revolving sushi bar will set up shop in the Grande Promenade shopping center in University City, per the restaurant’s website, though an official opening date wasn’t announced.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After more than a week of silence on the slopes, the lifts are spinning again at Telluride Ski Resort.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Far from turning on her, the audience awards her with a head-spinning third applause break in just 50 seconds.—
John Roy,
Vulture,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bring skates or rent a pair, and twirl around with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop.—
Ashlyn Ware,
Midwest Living,
7 Jan. 2026
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The trailer opens with the ominous tones on Also sprach Zarathustra and an image of a Presley nervously twirling his ring and tapping his foot.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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