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 kitchen runs a very cool rotating culinary collaboration with chefs from Rome’s most avant-garde eateries, alongside pop-up events and live music nights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Arrange pork chops on top of vegetables and continue to roast until pork registers 145 degrees and vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through roasting.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Applications for that program will open monthly on a revolving basis beginning April 1, and close the next day, a tight window that city officials said is necessary because of overwhelming demand.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
25 Mar. 2026
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While the Broadway production was presented on a huge, revolving set, this intimate black-box staging will focus on the language and storytelling in the script.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The artist who goes only by the mononym Naoshi is a master at spinning tiny grains of sand into something grand.—
Leigh-Ann Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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With this slackline, both ends were attached to balloons and moved up and down, side to side, while spinning.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The world of dance has leapt long in fashion’s collective imagination—but the reign of the ballet flat may, finally, be twirling off.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
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To stack the deck further, and to spur their champion into action, the writers throw in a sinister trio of private-equity investors who might as well arrive twirling their mustaches.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pirouetting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pirouetting. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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