1
as in rotating
to move in circles around an axis or center
spinning on its axis, the Earth makes one complete rotation every 23 hours 56 minutes 4 seconds
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in twirling
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
spun the child around until he was hopelessly dizzy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spinning
The crisp writing moves the story at nearly head-spinning pace.
—
Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
But this night wasn't just about spinning the most.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Vonn was seen spinning in the air before crashing and was subsequently heard screaming as medical personnel surrounded her.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Dean Smith is spinning like a tornado.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
By whipping or rapidly spinning fresh citrus juice, bartenders introduce air into the liquid, creating a thicker texture without adding additional ingredients.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Among his regrets was a wedge to a back pin on the 15th that was a foot away from spinning back to close range.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
For her winning run, Gremaud, a 26-year-old who has last year’s world championship title to go with her two Olympic golds, skied backward, then flipped twice while spinning once and nailed the landing.
—Eddie Pells, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
The new machines weren’t just spinning cotton or shaping steel.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
But this night wasn't just about spinning the most.
—ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026
Vonn was seen spinning in the air before crashing and was subsequently heard screaming as medical personnel surrounded her.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
Dean Smith is spinning like a tornado.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
By whipping or rapidly spinning fresh citrus juice, bartenders introduce air into the liquid, creating a thicker texture without adding additional ingredients.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
Among his regrets was a wedge to a back pin on the 15th that was a foot away from spinning back to close range.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
For her winning run, Gremaud, a 26-year-old who has last year’s world championship title to go with her two Olympic golds, skied backward, then flipped twice while spinning once and nailed the landing.
—Eddie Pells, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
The new machines weren’t just spinning cotton or shaping steel.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spinning
Verb
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All season long, Lindsay Gottlieb has been content to rely on a rotating group at the five.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until slightly puffed and cracked, 11–15 minutes.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lagoon-life is out of this world, and swimming with sharks is one of the highlights of my trip (slash my entire life).—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
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Researchers spotted the translucent crustaceans swimming in the cave’s shallow pools, eventually collecting and studying specimens that led to the formal identification of a species entirely new to science.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The brutal tumble down the ice, those skis with knife-sharp edges twirling as the snow cloud engulfs her.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
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The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance.—
Dylan Butts,Matthew Chin,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Homeowners who need a revolving line of credit Homeowners who can make on-time monthly interest payments during the draw period and on-time monthly payments during the repayment period.—
Kelsey Neubauer,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
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The group will use the Chicago Prize to bolster the coalition’s existing revolving loan fund that finances new home construction.—
Brian J. Rogal,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They got engaged, and later married during the set, surrounded by the artist and whirling revelers.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
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Patterns emerged in the observations, captured both close to the star and further away from it, that suggested a companion star was whirling through Betelgeuse’s extended atmosphere.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Illinois bolted an early 15-3 lead as USC stumbled out of the gate, turning the ball over four times in the first six minutes and missing seven of its first eight shots.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Consider pausing a debate, rescheduling an extra meeting, or turning a workout into a quiet walk, because solitude restores your energy and lets new ideas surface.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Reaching backward or twisting around other people to grab a bag is awkward and strains muscles.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, the rest of us are left twisting in the wind.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Giancarlo Stanton didn’t have much to say Tuesday with reports swirling that Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, planned to abruptly announce his resignation.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
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In 1955, Universal arranged for closeted gay heartthrob Rock Hudson to be married off to his agent’s secretary amid swirling speculation about his sexuality.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spinning. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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