1
as in rotated
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 twirled
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 spun
Tales are spun and then immediately tied back up into knots, and its gothic drama provides a fresh new place for Johnson to play in his preferred genre.
—
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Meer took the snap, rolled to his right and spun away from the pressure.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory, and mischief unfolds.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
For much of the rest of the season, though, Esmeralda doesn’t really fit, as if she’s spun in from another offshoot entirely.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
His wheels spun in place; sand flew.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Once the deal went to market the flywheel spun quickly.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The flat triggered the race’s only caution when Kaden Honeycutt spun in response, shaking up the running order.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Someone around me spun somebody out or ran somebody into the wall, and Kyle pulled up next to them, stuck his arm out and gave them a thumbs down.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Meer took the snap, rolled to his right and spun away from the pressure.
—David Delgado, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory, and mischief unfolds.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
For much of the rest of the season, though, Esmeralda doesn’t really fit, as if she’s spun in from another offshoot entirely.
—Jesse Hassenger, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
His wheels spun in place; sand flew.
—Molly Parker, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025
Once the deal went to market the flywheel spun quickly.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The flat triggered the race’s only caution when Kaden Honeycutt spun in response, shaking up the running order.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
Someone around me spun somebody out or ran somebody into the wall, and Kyle pulled up next to them, stuck his arm out and gave them a thumbs down.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spun
Verb
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The tournament’s first weekend alone has seen sneakers, sandals and heels rotated courtside, positioning footwear as central to its off-court spotlight.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
7 Sep. 2025
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Once the screen’s fully rotated into portrait mode, the image adjusts accordingly.—
Scharon Harding,
ArsTechnica,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Herald also found a pile of wet clothes, two children’s backpacks and food at the end of a street in Tavernier where the ocean meets the shore, suggesting the group swam to land and changed into dry clothing.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
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One of the individuals swam under the boat and tried to flip it over to no avail.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In one dugout, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner twirled changeups and heaved fastballs, asserting his dominance once again.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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Belts and scarves can also be twirled and placed inside drawers or acrylic organizers, or, hung on closet rods with multi-tier hangers.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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For her take on enduring Grease style, Bieber revolved her going-out look around a boxy moto jacket—one of her signature wardrobe staples.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
3 Sep. 2025
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At first, the drone business revolved mainly around film crews and hobbyists.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After a Joey Estes fastball came near his head, Robles whirled around and chucked his bat at the pitcher.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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Between events, Diamandis whirled around, making and cementing connections.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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For a locker room that’s been through a lot because the front office swung and missed on the worst quarterback trade in NFL history.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Valverde turned 27 in July and is now in his eighth season with Madrid’s first team since joining from Penarol in his Uruguayan homeland for €5million as an 18-year-old in summer 2016.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Valdez turned his back to the plate and paused as Salazar and Volpe stared at him.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It can be twisted to create multiple different shapes and angles (a dream for leaning up against the window), and therefore, can be used in ways that standard neck pillows cannot, such as a lumbar support pillow.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Aug. 2025
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Silver mylar tape is twisted and hung between fence posts, or cut into strips and hung on fencing.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spun. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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