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 next morning, Helen sits at the kitchen table, pinching one of the seed pods that Thiago gave her between her thumb and forefinger and spinning it like a top.
—
Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
One way to understand the head-spinning nature of being an American over the past couple of decades is that this debate—one that history seemed to have settled in Locke’s favor—is alive again.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
But the coaching carousel may not be finished spinning.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
In these cases, the equations will predict a fluid moving in some unphysical, incomprehensible way — spinning into an impossibly fast vortex, for instance, or instantly reversing its flow.
—Quanta Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
That roaring from the Midwest is Bobby Knight spinning in his grave.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
An asteroid may be spinning quickly due to a collision with another space rock.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
An asteroid spinning quickly—like 2025 MN45—may have sped up because of a past collision with another asteroid.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
Of course, that’s not how the Academy is spinning this.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
Sadia Shepard, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
One way to understand the head-spinning nature of being an American over the past couple of decades is that this debate—one that history seemed to have settled in Locke’s favor—is alive again.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026
But the coaching carousel may not be finished spinning.
—Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
In these cases, the equations will predict a fluid moving in some unphysical, incomprehensible way — spinning into an impossibly fast vortex, for instance, or instantly reversing its flow.
—Quanta Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
That roaring from the Midwest is Bobby Knight spinning in his grave.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
An asteroid may be spinning quickly due to a collision with another space rock.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
An asteroid spinning quickly—like 2025 MN45—may have sped up because of a past collision with another asteroid.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2026
Of course, that’s not how the Academy is spinning this.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spinning
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Though lazy Susans are better known for their utility on the table, consider getting one for more flexibility and succinct storage space within corner cabinets for whirling out pots and pans.—
Alex Ronan,
Architectural Digest,
1 Jan. 2026
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Dru Smith remains a whirling dervish on defense, delivering three more steals.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Weekly mopping might help to prevent food, dirt, and debris from turning into mold, which could damage your grout.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
-
But the momentum in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry seems to be turning, with the Bears beating the Packers for the third time in the past five games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Two prospectors who had once flown over the area confirmed that, seen from above, the rivers looked like a handful of golden worms twisting through the green.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
As much a gripping, twisting whodunnit as a heart-wrenching depiction of the aftermath of loss, grief and warped masculinity.—
Rebecca Hannigan,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The clouds have been swirling around Andrews for much of the season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spinning. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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