pirouette 1 of 2

noun

ˌpir-ə-ˈwet How to pronounce pirouette (audio)
Definition of pirouettenext
as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point the ballerina's perfectly executed pirouette

Synonyms & Similar Words

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pirouette

2 of 2

verb

as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center the ballerina pirouetted across the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 pirouette
Noun
Born a pirouette away from Paris’ Palais Garnier opera house in 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels’ attraction for dance came as no surprise. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 26 May 2026 In hours of underwater video footage from a New York aquarium, a beluga whale named Natasha stretches her neck, pirouettes, nods, and shakes her head in front of a two-way mirror. — Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 24 May 2026
Verb
Yohannes pirouetted around Arsenal’s defenders not once, not twice but three times before the half-time whistle. — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 3 May 2026 The Chinese duo’s voices pirouette around a pulse that sounds like a car door chime as abortive crashes puncture the otherwise placid, kickless ambience. — James Gui, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pirouette
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirouette
  1. rotation
  2. rotate
  3. twirl
  4. revolve
  5. spin
  6. curve
  7. roll
Noun
  • The Astros’ rotation is in such a state that ruling anyone out as a candidate to start games seems silly, but their actions indicate Imai is something of a last resort.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The 25-year-old Whisenhunt isn’t capitalizing on his opportunity to earn staying power in San Francisco’s rotation.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Both sides rotated halfway through, giving two ‘starting XIs’ 60 minutes of game-time each, balancing the load out equally across their squads.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Then rotate your torso and bring the weight down to the opposite hip.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotate
Noun
  • Inside a historic church on Park Avenue, two dancers clothed in blue-and-pink brocade twirl up and down the aisles to a string-heavy soundtrack.
    — Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 26 June 2026
  • The actress, who was styled by Karla Welch, adorned the look with a gold twirl necklace that was also part of the collection and featured on the runway paired with the same dress.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
Definition of twirl
Verb
  • And with the average rate on credit card accounts that were charged interest recently topping 22%, falling behind on this type of revolving debt can become expensive quickly.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The restaurant, which started in Japan, brought its popular revolving buffet of sushi to Kansas City less than three years ago, landing first at 200 W 47th St.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolve
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the whirlpools of history spin, and ordinary people, good and bad alike, drown in them.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Today, its angular momentum, or spin, is less than that of the disk.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin
Noun
  • Classic cars are known for their curves, chrome and nostalgia.
    — Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Nike previously introduced its first full-length, visible Air Zoom unit with a curve on the Pegasus Premium, which released in early 2025 and hasn’t been well-reviewed.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of curve
Noun
  • Also during the restoration, the race-style, roll-over hoop behind the driver was removed, and rear chrome nudge bars were added.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Experiencing the Cramps live was like stepping into a twilight zone where everything in rock & roll was more.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of roll

Browse Nearby Words

pirogues
pirouette
pirouetted
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Cite this Entry

“Pirouette.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirouette. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pirouette

Nglish: Translation of pirouette for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pirouette

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