1
as in rotates
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
the salesclerk revolved the glass display case so I could see the watchbands on the reverse side
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in spins
to move in circles around an axis or center
the sidereal day measures the time it takes the Earth to revolve completely about its axis with respect to the fixed stars
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in contemplates
to give serious and careful thought to
for the next several hours he kept revolving the cryptic message in his mind, trying to make sense of it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 revolves
When the stage revolves late in the play to display Susan’s opulent digs the pale shades of whites and golds almost hurt our eyes.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
But right now, the oil market is the sun around which the stock market revolves.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
The 28-year-old is loquacious and engaging, the ideal traits for someone around whom a team revolves.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The song revolves slowly, casting loop against deepening loop, asking for the same careful quality of attention as William Basinski or Stars of the Lid.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
His latest work, which is set, and shot, in a remote Turkish mountain village, revolves on a land dispute rooted in the conflict over rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
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
As a nursing mom, my schedule revolves in large part around my baby’s needs.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 22 Nov. 2025
Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026
But right now, the oil market is the sun around which the stock market revolves.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 5 Apr. 2026
The 28-year-old is loquacious and engaging, the ideal traits for someone around whom a team revolves.
—Maria Torres, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026
The song revolves slowly, casting loop against deepening loop, asking for the same careful quality of attention as William Basinski or Stars of the Lid.
—Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 10 Mar. 2026
His latest work, which is set, and shot, in a remote Turkish mountain village, revolves on a land dispute rooted in the conflict over rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
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
As a nursing mom, my schedule revolves in large part around my baby’s needs.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 22 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for revolves
Verb
-
His fan rotates to distribute the air in the room.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Organize your pantry supplies with this handy 2-tier bamboo turntable that rotates for easy access to all your everyday cooking essentials.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Connor contemplates revisiting an old relationship.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Pogue Harrison contemplates our ever-growing will to ignorance.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fresh off the global success of KPop Demon Hunters, the film’s vocal stars are bringing their fandom full circle with a new collaboration that turns a familiar fast-food run into an immersive experience.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
October 23 – November 21 Steady focus turns effort into visible progress.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
With delicate humor and heartfelt moments, this bittersweet class-comedy entertains while provoking thought about our ability to live together and create meaningful connections.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2026
-
This style of theater both enlightens and entertains, each actor stepping out of the ensemble inside Kelleher’s direction that teeters on the edge of heavy-handidness without ever getting there.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The observation window will be short, however, because once Orion swings all the way around the moon, the brightness of Earth will wash out any potential sightings of the moon dust.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Less through walkouts and more through people feeling like the pendulum swings back, and organizations are trying to hire again.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Heinrich ponders the misfiring neurons in the brain of a mass shooter, Jack’s pursuit of Mink—a character whose skin color and ambiguous ethnicity Jack remarks on repeatedly—leads him directly into the urban teeth of the War on Drugs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Who ever ponders the conveniences of that 20th century innovation, the airplane, that makes 21st century hustle possible?—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Invitees will be welcomed with Martell’s French 75 while a DJ spins the hottest beats before Davido himself arrives on Sunday, April 12.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Agnes, the tender, bristling English associate about which this film spins, does have the wardrobe and wit of my favorite adjuncts.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After their niece, Sadie (Kayli Carter), goes to live with them, Rachel considers asking her for help, leading to awkward family tension when Sadie's parents find out.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The finding provides the clearest evidence yet that matter can materialize from what classical physics considers empty space.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Revolves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/revolves. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
