as in rotations
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point
the ballerina's perfectly executed pirouette
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in rotates
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 pirouettes
Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Brown, who held the position from 1975 to 1983, was particularly prone to policy pirouettes, most spectacularly regarding Proposition 13, California’s iconic taxation limit.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Before plying precious stones and metals, pirouettes and pointes were the means of expression for the Belgian.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
To the west, the London Eye pirouettes above the skyline—to the east, Shakespeare’s Globe serves legendary sonnets.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Étoile, the Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino vehicle canceled after one season on Amazon Prime, is awash in elegant shots of ballerina pirouettes and the opulent interior of the Opéra Garnier in Paris — which served as the inspiration for the novel The Phantom of the Opera.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
The extraordinary footage, which Unitree Robotics shared on the its social media channels depicts the humanoid bot carrying out a series of complex movements, including pirouettes, dance routines, as well as incredible kickboxing skills.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025
Brown, who held the position from 1975 to 1983, was particularly prone to policy pirouettes, most spectacularly regarding Proposition 13, California’s iconic taxation limit.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Before plying precious stones and metals, pirouettes and pointes were the means of expression for the Belgian.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
To the west, the London Eye pirouettes above the skyline—to the east, Shakespeare’s Globe serves legendary sonnets.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Étoile, the Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino vehicle canceled after one season on Amazon Prime, is awash in elegant shots of ballerina pirouettes and the opulent interior of the Opéra Garnier in Paris — which served as the inspiration for the novel The Phantom of the Opera.
—Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirouettes
Noun
-
During Smith’s absence, the Bulls were forced to play smaller rotations while asking veteran Nikola Vučević to play more than 35 minutes per game.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Those injuries disrupt lineups and rotations as rookie Noah Penda learned in the hour leading up to tip-off against the Sixers.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Adley, who at Marigold rotates dishes regularly, is enticing diners to Heretik with a chicken operation and shellfish, oysters and sea urchins.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
This is because the Sun rotates once every 28 days.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Centennial Lakes Park in suburban Edina is the perfect urban oasis to try out twirls or pick up some speed.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Plus, the twirls on the cup are also inspired by the garlands and velvet ribbons that the coffee shops hang up for the holidays.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The aptly named God of Time is equipped with a groundbreaking tourbillon that spins at a record-breaking four seconds per rotation.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This airflow spins the rotator through surface friction alone.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
From their eight 360-degree wheels to their grippy telescopic handle, these bags are so easy to travel with.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The pickup truck landed wheels up in the creek.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Writer-director Annemarie Jacir takes on her largest-scale production to date with Palestine 36, a panoramic drama that interweaves period re-creations with evocative archival footage and revolves among characters both fictional and historical.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain is getting a $400 million makeover with a facade featuring neon blue undulating curves.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Its serpentine curves have entranced drivers for decades, and even lured some to their death.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But, according to Hall, the rolls burned in a fire, and when the tribe composed them again, Mary Ground was put down as quarter-blooded.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
While preventing ineligible voters from casting ballots is a valid goal, the National Voter Registration Act and the Help America Vote Act assign the responsibility for maintaining voter rolls to states, not the federal government.—
Barbara McQuade,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirouettes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirouettes. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
