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
During a recent experience, the eight mini games ranged from trivia to stacking foam blocks and from Nerf dart shooting to spinning a giant wheel for points.
—
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
This setup would let researchers detect minute differences in the isotopes’ energy levels by examining nuances in the magnetic field created by each particle’s spinning nucleus, called the nuclear magnetic moment.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
Instead, he is represented by Proyectos Ultravioleta, a beloved commercial space in Guatemala City that is known for spinning artists with small but loyal followings into biennial-circuit superstars.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
Sky responded with a spinning heel kick, and both women collapsed to the mat.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Recently, researchers in Germany developed a chain-launching drone interceptor that disables UAVs by tangling their spinning rotors midair.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
Gordon says United may be spinning the story.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 6 May 2026
In the winter, the direction reverses — spinning clockwise at a low speed to circulate warm air that rises to the ceiling.
—Ryan Brennan
may 4, Sacbee.com, 4 May 2026
In the middle of it all was the trophy, spinning slowly.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
This setup would let researchers detect minute differences in the isotopes’ energy levels by examining nuances in the magnetic field created by each particle’s spinning nucleus, called the nuclear magnetic moment.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 May 2026
Instead, he is represented by Proyectos Ultravioleta, a beloved commercial space in Guatemala City that is known for spinning artists with small but loyal followings into biennial-circuit superstars.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026
Sky responded with a spinning heel kick, and both women collapsed to the mat.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
Recently, researchers in Germany developed a chain-launching drone interceptor that disables UAVs by tangling their spinning rotors midair.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
Gordon says United may be spinning the story.
—Tara Lynch, CBS News, 6 May 2026
In the winter, the direction reverses — spinning clockwise at a low speed to circulate warm air that rises to the ceiling.
—Ryan Brennan
may 4, Sacbee.com, 4 May 2026
In the middle of it all was the trophy, spinning slowly.
—Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spinning
Verb
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The Stout’s Island Lodge Restaurant serves three meals a day with a rotating menu of regional cuisine.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
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With the pandemic lingering throughout 2021, Giles tried to keep his players fresh, physically and mentally, by rotating the squad.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Medet Zheenaliev, 30, spotted four girls swimming in Lake Issyk-Kul in his home country of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday, and one of them was reportedly pulled under the current.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
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Their days are spent swimming in the lake, picnicking by the beach and debating poetry and literature.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Hands stretched, twirling as if being spun about.—
‘Pemi Aguda,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
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Stunning bicolor blooms dangle in clusters, twirling their ruffled petals like ballerinas.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Longtime residents might remember the hot dogs and burgers making their way past eager students on field trips at the National Museum of American History’s revolving Carousel Cafeteria, or the large, greenhouse-like McDonald’s inside the Air and Space Museum.—
Fritz Hahn,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
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So, for borrowers carrying revolving balances, that means the high cost of credit card debt isn't going anywhere either.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Firefighters witnessed a rare ‘ash devil’ while battling the Trinity fire in San Bernardino County — a whirling column of hot ash and embers created when rising heat meets shifting winds.—
Blanca Begert,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
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The video then cuts to two Apache helicopters whirling up.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
2 May 2026
Verb
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The roughly 4,800-square-foot home is wrapped in expansive windows overlooking the lake and mountains beyond, turning the landscape into a constantly changing backdrop.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
13 May 2026
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Another way to decorate your privacy fence is by turning it into a full-on plant wall.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of thousands of deliveries, all landing on his front leg while twisting his torso, had taken a toll on his right hip that three surgeries could not repair.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
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Gutierrez recommended twisting the barrel adjuster next to the brake handles counter-clockwise and tightening the neighboring stopper bolt, which will increase tension with the tire’s brake cable.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
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The dark matter By looking at how the emission lines in the spectrum were broadened by the Doppler effect, Nakajima and his colleagues measured that the gas is swirling around inside the galaxy at roughly 58 kilometers per second, a rather typical value for dwarf galaxies.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
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Media reports are swirling that L’Oréal is in discussions to acquire a majority stake in Innovist, an Indian personal care company that includes brands such as Bare Anatomy, Chemist at Play and Sunscoop in its portfolio.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spinning. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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