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
But there’s never any intention of protecting somebody, or spinning it in a certain way.
—
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 17 June 2026
But everything started with Maradona spinning away from two England players just inside the Argentina half with a lovely piece of skill.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Varley videotaped himself keeping Preston awake and then spinning him on a playground teacup at excess speed, according to police.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity predicts that these spacetime pathways can form under intensely bending, rotating space—such as around a spinning black hole.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
While Musk’s core mission has always been to create a self-sustaining city on Mars, Bezos favors the idea of massive, spinning space station in Earth’s orbit.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Business units are spinning up agents using various IT tools, SaaS platforms and COTS products.
—Abhijeet Mukkawar, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The enrichment process Gas centrifuge enrichment works by spinning uranium hexafluoride gas at high speed; the heavier uranium-238 isotope migrates toward the outer wall while the lighter, fissile uranium-235 concentrates near the axis.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
But once every four years, the globe stops spinning on its heavy axis.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Kate Aurthur, Variety, 17 June 2026
But everything started with Maradona spinning away from two England players just inside the Argentina half with a lovely piece of skill.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 16 June 2026
Varley videotaped himself keeping Preston awake and then spinning him on a playground teacup at excess speed, according to police.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity predicts that these spacetime pathways can form under intensely bending, rotating space—such as around a spinning black hole.
—Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 12 June 2026
While Musk’s core mission has always been to create a self-sustaining city on Mars, Bezos favors the idea of massive, spinning space station in Earth’s orbit.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 12 June 2026
Business units are spinning up agents using various IT tools, SaaS platforms and COTS products.
—Abhijeet Mukkawar, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
The enrichment process Gas centrifuge enrichment works by spinning uranium hexafluoride gas at high speed; the heavier uranium-238 isotope migrates toward the outer wall while the lighter, fissile uranium-235 concentrates near the axis.
—Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
But once every four years, the globe stops spinning on its heavy axis.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spinning
Verb
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Unforgotten offers a new mystery for each of its six (and counting) seasons while rotating through new detectives and supporting characters.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
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One was a rotating disc that sent out beams of light.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
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In April, Stephen Woods’ son-in-law, Ryan Jennings, was swimming with his two oldest children while on a family vacation in Florida when a rip current dragged them out.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
14 June 2026
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An Australian lifeguard helped rescue a woman who was critically injured by a white shark while swimming off a popular Sydney beach on Saturday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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On any other man, this level of villainy could be mustache-twirling and cartoonish.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
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The mustache-twirling villain flees, both Half-ATs and full-on AT-AT Walkers come into play, and our hero and Grogu finish the job.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Verb
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And for those who don't own a home — or who prefer not to borrow against it — personal loans can provide a more affordable alternative to revolving credit card debt, particularly for borrowers with strong credit.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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Instead of getting a lump sum, a HELOC offers a revolving line of credit that can be used as needed during a borrowing period, usually five to 10 years.—
Kevin Cerveny,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
Verb
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With the Splash Into Summer there, there were several sprinklers whirling around near several parts of the path giving people a chance to cool off.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026
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After seeing his parents vanquished, young Adam is quickly sent by the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) with his all-powerful sword whirling away to Earth.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
Verb
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For the tournament, FIFA has introduced a three-minute hydration break in each half, effectively turning the game into four quarters.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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Witnesses saw the plane struggle to gain altitude before turning left, stalling and falling to the ground.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Rather than wringing and twisting it to remove the excess water, roll it up in a clean, dry towel and gently squeeze out the water.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
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From twisting a bright pink kerchief into a one-shoulder top to slinging another across her hips to create a slit up-to-there skirt, Li found pleasure in the trial-and-error process.—
Diana Tsui,
Footwear News,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Rumors then began swirling that Wilde and Pugh clashed on set over creative differences.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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Some other great ways to use it include thinning it with lemon juice and water for a salad dressing, drizzling it over roasted cauliflower or sweet potato, swirling it into a savory oatmeal, or using it as the base for noodle sauces.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spinning. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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