as in rotating
to move in circles around an axis or center
the ballerina pirouetted across the stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of pirouetting
Within five consecutive offensive possessions, Doncic hit a pirouetting step-back three, split a double team with a behind-the-back dribble to throw a no-look lob to Rui Hachimura, spun through another trap for a second alley-oop to LeBron James and nailed the dagger three.
—
Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Fiction became reality as Copeland took to the stage on Sunday — for the first time since retiring from the American Ballet Theatre in October 2025 — pirouetting in a fiery, feathery ensemble onto center stage during the segment’s closing notes.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
They are hunted by Devora, a reclusive innkeeper and former dancer played by Uma Thurman, who is determined to make the girls regret ever pirouetting into her life.
—Jef Rouner, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2026
During the pandemic, San Diego Ballet dancers were filmed pirouetting on the rooftop of The San Diego Museum of Art, surrounded by bird’s-eye views of Balboa Park.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Fiction became reality as Copeland took to the stage on Sunday — for the first time since retiring from the American Ballet Theatre in October 2025 — pirouetting in a fiery, feathery ensemble onto center stage during the segment’s closing notes.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
They are hunted by Devora, a reclusive innkeeper and former dancer played by Uma Thurman, who is determined to make the girls regret ever pirouetting into her life.
—Jef Rouner, San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2026
During the pandemic, San Diego Ballet dancers were filmed pirouetting on the rooftop of The San Diego Museum of Art, surrounded by bird’s-eye views of Balboa Park.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pirouetting
Verb
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Astrobotic put its Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) through its paces for the first time.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
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The show, which films at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, combines stand-up, improv and the classic comedy roast, with Hinchcliffe and a rotating slate of guest judge comedians roasting wannabe stand-ups seeking a minute to launch their act.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Swizzle Dinner & Drinks delivers retro glam atop the Galt House with two revolving floors unveiling ever-changing skyline views.—
Hillary Richard,
Robb Report,
23 Apr. 2026
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And, as the interest compounds at those rates, even a manageable revolving balance can quickly balloon into something far harder to control.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Off the coast of Rhode IslandAP — Offshore wind turbines roughly three times the height of the Statue of Liberty were spinning far off the coast of Rhode Island on Thursday, sending clean electricity to the region.—
Jennifer McDermott,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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Booth, Guiteau, Czolgosz, Oswald must all be spinning in their graves!—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Aaron Gordon sat at his locker twirling the tape from his finger, unable to wrap his head around a stunning 119-114 defeat.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
21 Apr. 2026
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But as soon as one flagellar motor reverses direction and starts rotating clockwise, the bundle falls apart; the reverse-twirling filament unravels the braid and puts the cell’s flagellar motors at cross-purposes, kicking the cell around.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirouetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirouetting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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