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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spun
Nikki Glaser spun an unfortunate situation into comedy gold.
—
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
At the time, many observers, including former board members, wondered whether the company should be broken apart, with its manufacturing facilities sold or spun into a separate business.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Elsie Testa spun another gem, striking out 13 and allowing just three hits while also lacing a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning to lead Abington (5-2) to a 3-0 win over Bedford.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Its launch was precisely timed for the moment Earth’s rotation spun Plesetsk underneath the orbital plane of the NRO’s USA 338 Keyhole-class optical spy satellite.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio had already spun the Renaissance fantasy of the bella donna, with her golden tresses, blue eyes, and pale skin.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The burp in the fuel system and contact with the outside wall slowed Reddick and allowed Hamlin to regain the lead on Lap 265 of 267, but before Hamlin could take the white flag, Ware’s Camaro spun in Turn 4 to cause the only caution of the race for an on-track incident.
—Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
But where The Pitt centered Robby’s trauma and self-loathing and spun character interactions and relationships off of it all season long, Al-Hashimi was first a riddle to be solved, then a problem to be addressed.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
The pilot of a helicopter that crashed on a sightseeing flight off the Hawaiian island of Kauai last month, killing three passengers, told investigators that the aircraft vibrated and spun before plunging into the water, according to report released Friday.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
At the time, many observers, including former board members, wondered whether the company should be broken apart, with its manufacturing facilities sold or spun into a separate business.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
Elsie Testa spun another gem, striking out 13 and allowing just three hits while also lacing a two-run double in the top of the seventh inning to lead Abington (5-2) to a 3-0 win over Bedford.
—Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
Its launch was precisely timed for the moment Earth’s rotation spun Plesetsk underneath the orbital plane of the NRO’s USA 338 Keyhole-class optical spy satellite.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio had already spun the Renaissance fantasy of the bella donna, with her golden tresses, blue eyes, and pale skin.
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The burp in the fuel system and contact with the outside wall slowed Reddick and allowed Hamlin to regain the lead on Lap 265 of 267, but before Hamlin could take the white flag, Ware’s Camaro spun in Turn 4 to cause the only caution of the race for an on-track incident.
—Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026
But where The Pitt centered Robby’s trauma and self-loathing and spun character interactions and relationships off of it all season long, Al-Hashimi was first a riddle to be solved, then a problem to be addressed.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
The pilot of a helicopter that crashed on a sightseeing flight off the Hawaiian island of Kauai last month, killing three passengers, told investigators that the aircraft vibrated and spun before plunging into the water, according to report released Friday.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spun
Verb
-
The 5,100square-foot museum, designed in the shape of a wave, maintains a collection of vintage and signature surfboards that are rotated between displays.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
New exhibits have rotated through the two remaining buildings, the Resnick Pavilion and BCAM.—
David Allen,
Daily News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Although San Francisco Bay is cold, the fitness icon Jack La Lanne once swam to the island pulling a rowboat, and several children also made the swim.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the event, children could make paper at an activity table and experience animals inside the museum, including Augie, a red-eared slider turtle, who swam to the surface briefly when visitors peered into the pool.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Penguins darted beneath us, marine iguanas grazed on algae, and sea lions twirled playfully in the water.—
David Morris,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Keith twirled the edges in his fingers and flipped the long part back and forth over his shoulder.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leonard Cohen had a house there, one of 100 in the world that revolved on a motor.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
This year, Rolex is celebrating 100 years of the Oyster, the watch—or watch case, to be more precise—that quietly remains the hub around which the brand’s line-up has revolved for a full century.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Only problem was, teammate Trevor Zegras whirled the rookie around by the neck, and the rest of the Flyers mobbed the ice and pinned Martone against the boards in a wild celebration worthy of a playoff victory.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Knueppel, who was a one-and-done at Duke just like Flagg but turned 20 before his NBA career started, became the first rookie to lead the league in 3-pointers with 273.—
Schuyler Dixon,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Butajevas, who turned 19 on March 27, arrives to coach Todd Golden’s team with a prototypical European skill set at nearly 6-foot-10.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The game swung on these knife-edge moments, but the actual performance levels were similar from both teams.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
But as the ball swung around the perimeter, opportunities arose for the likes of Dosunmu and McDaniels to crack the paint off the bounce.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But then the day before the NCAA 5,000 heats, Chapa twisted his ankle.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Now his bruised body was twisted, lying on the floor with his head against the bed frame.—
Elisabeth Rosenthal,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spun. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
