as in rotating
to move in circles around an axis or center
the ballerina pirouetted across the stage
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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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The third-year students spent nearly a year developing and refining the engine, which runs through continuous rotating explosions in a circular chamber.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
18 May 2026
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The worst of the severe weather is expected west and northwest of the Kansas City metro, where supercells (large, rotating thunderstorms) capable of producing hail and strong to intense tornadoes are most likely from central Kansas and southeast Nebraska into Iowa and northwest Missouri.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Longtime residents might remember the hot dogs and burgers making their way past eager students on field trips at the National Museum of American History’s revolving Carousel Cafeteria, or the large, greenhouse-like McDonald’s inside the Air and Space Museum.—
Fritz Hahn,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
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So, for borrowers carrying revolving balances, that means the high cost of credit card debt isn't going anywhere either.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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During a recent experience, the eight mini games ranged from trivia to stacking foam blocks and from Nerf dart shooting to spinning a giant wheel for points.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
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This setup would let researchers detect minute differences in the isotopes’ energy levels by examining nuances in the magnetic field created by each particle’s spinning nucleus, called the nuclear magnetic moment.—
K. R. Callaway,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Stephens never plays a mustache-twirling sadist, instead carrying himself with the unbearable confidence of a man truly convinced that his version of abuse and even murder is civilized.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
17 May 2026
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Emmet Sheehan turned in perhaps his best start of the season Thursday, twirling six innings against the San Francisco Giants.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirouetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirouetting. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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