1
2
3
as in rocks
to make a series of unsteady side-to-side motions
the car suddenly was rolling as high winds swept across the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in turns
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
in order to knock your opponent off balance, you have to roll the log when he least expects it
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in flows
to move in a stream
just lying on the beach, watching the clouds roll by
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in rotates
to move in circles around an axis or center
rolled her head around her shoulders to loosen herself up
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in glides
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
once we started rolling, everything went perfectly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in lists
a record of a series of items (as names or titles) usually arranged according to some system
called the roll of people supposed to be in the class
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in rotations
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point
the squirrel did a quick roll and vanished up a tree
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of rolls
Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
The name just kind of rolls off the tongue when your name's already Utley.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Now, as Michigan rolls into the Sweet 16 and a date with Alabama, Lendeborg is returning the favor as Raposo battles cancer.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The Ultra Music Festival merrily rolls along in its 26th year Friday through Sunday at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Waddle rolls into Dove Valley with a history of being a zone-buster.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
The boy rolls backwards with the force of the shove, with his legs hanging above his head.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
The commercials, featuring the company’s young CEO, Margo Case (Kathryn Newton), fuse Big Pharma come-on with a vague feminist spiel, and Carol rolls her eyes at all the feel-good whatever.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
The Dallas Cowboys waived defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey on Thursday afternoon as the offseason roster churn rolls along.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Dillon Candy Company, based in the south Georgia town of Boston, still makes pecan rolls and all manner of confections.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026
A number of states, including Texas and Louisiana, have run their entire voting lists through the system and found very small numbers of potential noncitizens on their rolls — matching state-level reviews.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, the ballot measure passed, and conservative votes were strategically shifted into new districts, increasing the number of Republicans on voter rolls while narrowing the margin favorable to Democrats in the district.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Bread and rolls, for example, appear on the menu.
—Jenna Thompson
march 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Universities will still offer sociology majors and courses, but some faculty warn that removing the introductory class from general-education rolls could have lasting consequences on liberal-arts departments.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The investigation, which is being run by the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, appears to represent an escalation in an ongoing dispute between states and the federal government over efforts to review states' voter rolls.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Guests can pick up a complete spread for 6–8 people, featuring mashed potatoes and gravy, homestyle sides, yeast rolls and a whole cake or pie.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Breakfast with thick waffles or puffy omelets come with housemade fresh cinnamon rolls the size of a baseball, drizzled with icing.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2026
The name just kind of rolls off the tongue when your name's already Utley.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026
Now, as Michigan rolls into the Sweet 16 and a date with Alabama, Lendeborg is returning the favor as Raposo battles cancer.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
The Ultra Music Festival merrily rolls along in its 26th year Friday through Sunday at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Waddle rolls into Dove Valley with a history of being a zone-buster.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
The boy rolls backwards with the force of the shove, with his legs hanging above his head.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
The commercials, featuring the company’s young CEO, Margo Case (Kathryn Newton), fuse Big Pharma come-on with a vague feminist spiel, and Carol rolls her eyes at all the feel-good whatever.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
The Dallas Cowboys waived defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey on Thursday afternoon as the offseason roster churn rolls along.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
From crowd favorite cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy, it may have been blown up for its shrine of 1950s nostalgia, but customers stay for the consistently good southern food.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
Dillon Candy Company, based in the south Georgia town of Boston, still makes pecan rolls and all manner of confections.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Mar. 2026
A number of states, including Texas and Louisiana, have run their entire voting lists through the system and found very small numbers of potential noncitizens on their rolls — matching state-level reviews.
—Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
Nevertheless, the ballot measure passed, and conservative votes were strategically shifted into new districts, increasing the number of Republicans on voter rolls while narrowing the margin favorable to Democrats in the district.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Bread and rolls, for example, appear on the menu.
—Jenna Thompson
march 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2026
Universities will still offer sociology majors and courses, but some faculty warn that removing the introductory class from general-education rolls could have lasting consequences on liberal-arts departments.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
The investigation, which is being run by the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security, appears to represent an escalation in an ongoing dispute between states and the federal government over efforts to review states' voter rolls.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Guests can pick up a complete spread for 6–8 people, featuring mashed potatoes and gravy, homestyle sides, yeast rolls and a whole cake or pie.
—Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rolls
Verb
-
Duncanville first baseman Madison Lee (7) rounds second base with enthusiasm after igniting Panthers players and fans by hitting a grand slam home run during the top of the 3rd inning of play against Waxahachie.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Elena Anaya rounds out the singular cast.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The first one arrives after 10 this evening and will bring rain, and some storm rumbles to our area.—
Ron Smiley,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The whole mountain rumbles when an avalanche rolls off it.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Keeping forearms grounded, press through your toes and shift your weight forward so that your whole body rocks forward several inches.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Now 71, Funderburgh still rocks a pompadour — albeit smaller and streaked with silver — that once inspired former bandmate Mike Judge to sketch Beavis.—
Thor Christensen,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Over the course of the show, their survival relationship turns into a strange, human relationship.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2026
-
McConnell, who turns 37 next month, was officially introduced as the 28th head coach in Saint Mary’s history on Wednesday, succeeding Bennett, who left the school after 25 years to become Arizona State’s next head coach.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Roughly 20% of crude and natural gas normally flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains all but closed to oil tankers and other shipping traffic because of the war.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
An estimated 9,000 gallons reached the San Diego River, which flows past Dog Beach.—
Point Loma-Ob Monthly,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The menu rotates about twice a season.—
Jenna Thompson
March 27,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Many expect the English forward to start as Liam Rosenior rotates his squad.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As Luna glides into your amicable 7th house, your partnerships have a chance to deepen without putting anyone on the back foot, so to speak.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The easy-to-use roller design features a cooling metal applicator that gently glides across the neck's contours, massaging the lightweight formula into skin without pulling or tugging skin.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The second and third outs were called third strikes, both of them initially balls before All-Star catcher Realmuto challenged through the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), or so called robot umpires, that will be used in the regular season for the first time this year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Arrange dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rolls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rolls. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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