purl

verb

Definition of purlnext
as in to swirl

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 purl The two halves of the hook move independently, enabling the device to knit or purl depending on which part picks up the first loop. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025 There was no ocean, no sea in this part of Україна, only a purling river. — Literary Hub, 12 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purl
  1. swirl
  2. ripple
  3. bubble
  4. eddy
  5. gurgle
  6. dribble
  7. lap
  8. wash
Verb
  • Now, as fall camp ramps up ahead of the former NFL coach's second season, questions are again swirling about matters away from the field.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Drums banged, flags swirled in the air and a group of supporters cheered, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Brazilian midfielder.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of swirl
Verb
  • The effects of weather disruptions ripple through regional supply chains, affecting everything from aviation and manufacturing to insurance and public health.
    — Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • One analysis projects the coming wave could mint more than 16,000 new millionaires and roughly 20 billionaires—a wealth-creation event already beginning to ripple through the world’s most rarefied property markets.
    — Natalie Hoberman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of ripple
Verb
  • The broiling temperatures released toxic gases and hazardous liquid waste that bubbled up to the surface.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After a late night meal at an Indian restaurant followed by a nightcap at the crew's favorite Italian restaurant, a season's worth of suspicions comes bubbling up for Tony in the form of a violent episode of food poisoning.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of bubble
Verb
  • Lindsay-Abaire makes a real meal of sketching the rest of the neighborhood association, played by a bevy of nimble theatrical comedians, though their own simmering resentments tend to eddy alongside the central Kyra-Elliot conflict.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Moses’s book eddies around with the energy of someone reporting back from a very long and strange evening clicking through Wikipedia links, enjoying every chance to add a tangent.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of eddy
Verb
  • Other nearby points of interest include gurgling mud pots, or geothermal mud volcanoes, on the eastern shoreline.
    — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 18 June 2026
  • Not every gurgling sink requires a call to the plumber.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
Definition of gurgle
Verb
  • After Holliday stole second, Taylor Ward dribbled a two-run single past Torkelson at first, cutting the Tigers' lead to 7-5.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 July 2026
  • The 20-year-old Venezuelan expertly controlled the ball with space to work, dribbled into the box, cut to his left and tucked it between Cleveland and the far post for his sixth MLS goal and 10th in all competitions this year.
    — Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026
Definition of dribble
Verb
  • Imbibe inside or in the adjoining garden-courtyard where passing gondolas send canal water lapping below the balustrade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • To the tune of softly lapping waves, The Inn at Langley revealed its cards slowly in the way quiet luxury tends to do.
    — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of lap
Verb
  • The warning was to never wash her hands while wearing the ring, because the eye could wash away.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In response, temporary chemical toilets and hand-washing stations were installed, the department said.
    — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of wash

Browse Nearby Words

purity
purl
purled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purl. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on purl

Nglish: Translation of purl for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All