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
Washing for too long and spinning at the highest final spin rate causes wear and tear on clothes.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
College football’s coaching carousel is spinning faster and faster as the regular season enters its final month, and the breeze coming off it can be felt in Minnesota.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
At any time, he could be found setting up his equipment and spinning a random set.
—Essence, 4 Nov. 2025
Under the stewardship of owner Arte Moreno, the franchise has been spinning its wheels for more than a decade and has not won its division since 2014.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.
—Evan Moore
november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Using the type of moves my old man would, spinning her around and bringing her back.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
The language of war is its own funnel cloud, and America is spinning.
—John Archibald, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
By comparison, Seoul Station tells us more about how the zombie virus began while also spinning a tight, impactful story centered on three compelling characters.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
College football’s coaching carousel is spinning faster and faster as the regular season enters its final month, and the breeze coming off it can be felt in Minnesota.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
At any time, he could be found setting up his equipment and spinning a random set.
—Essence, 4 Nov. 2025
Under the stewardship of owner Arte Moreno, the franchise has been spinning its wheels for more than a decade and has not won its division since 2014.
—Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
On nights when Nova’s feeling sleepy, Poppy happily entertains herself with her mountain of toys — or by spinning in happy circles to reclaim that elusive tail.
—Evan Moore
november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Using the type of moves my old man would, spinning her around and bringing her back.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
The language of war is its own funnel cloud, and America is spinning.
—John Archibald, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
By comparison, Seoul Station tells us more about how the zombie virus began while also spinning a tight, impactful story centered on three compelling characters.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spinning
Verb
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Live music adds to the evening energy, particularly on weekends, with rotating performers across Paralía, Luma, the lobby, and the Rum Bar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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Every Monday night, Bica hosts an industry night with rotating guest chefs.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The big animals were still swimming as night fell and the hunters returned home.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, just some of the experiences left on her impressive list include visiting Vatican City, going on a cruise, running a marathon, swimming with dolphins and visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The trailer opens with the ominous tones on Also sprach Zarathustra and an image of a Presley nervously twirling his ring and tapping his foot.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
9 Dec. 2025
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There was the six-member step team, two girls twirling flags and three more spinning rings.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Shinjuku Station revolving sushi bar will set up shop in the Grande Promenade shopping center in University City, per the restaurant’s website, though an official opening date wasn’t announced.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, the Buffs’ door keeps revolving.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
6 Nov. 2025
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Sometimes hawks rise above Helm’s whirling bar cloud – opportunists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Season-defining results turning not on the ever-growing bona fide quality of the players and the performances but on farcical decision-making.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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The guy wants to create a ballroom for his rich friends while turning a blind eye to the fact that babies are going to starve when the SNAP benefits end hours from now.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Land of Spooks is a phantasmagorical blend of twisting gothic spires, impossible land formations, and disconcerting expressionist proportions.—
Kambole Campbell,
IndieWire,
4 Nov. 2025
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This stabilizing exercise targets the muscles that control your foot twisting outward (peroneal muscles) and the ones that control your foot twisting inward (tibialis posterior).—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The move enraged both civilians and public officials throughout the country, with questions swirling about Stokes’ qualifications.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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With Mendoza’s stock climbing and the Jets still searching for answers at quarterback, speculation is already swirling about what this move could mean.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spinning. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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