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
Lionsgate has spun it into a franchise, including a Vegas escape room experience.
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
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.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Weisberger’s book may have been an opportunistic takedown, but the director David Frankel and the screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna spun it into one of the finer Hollywood entertainments of its era, with the pleasing sophistication and bitchery of a classic studio comedy from the forties or fifties.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Tourists approached, one by one, then spun around confused and disappointed.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Michael King spun six innings of two-run ball.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
In the match between Francisco Cerundolo and Luciano Darderi, Cerundolo won a point after reaching over the net to get to a high return that spun back into Darderi's side of the court.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Fallout is based on a video game, but the story that Robertson-Dworet and the creative team have spun up for the television series is original, which gives them the opportunity to build most of these characters from the ground up alongside the actors who play them.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 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
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
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.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Weisberger’s book may have been an opportunistic takedown, but the director David Frankel and the screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna spun it into one of the finer Hollywood entertainments of its era, with the pleasing sophistication and bitchery of a classic studio comedy from the forties or fifties.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
Tourists approached, one by one, then spun around confused and disappointed.
—Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Michael King spun six innings of two-run ball.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
In the match between Francisco Cerundolo and Luciano Darderi, Cerundolo won a point after reaching over the net to get to a high return that spun back into Darderi's side of the court.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
Fallout is based on a video game, but the story that Robertson-Dworet and the creative team have spun up for the television series is original, which gives them the opportunity to build most of these characters from the ground up alongside the actors who play them.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spun
Verb
-
In the one practice open to reporters, Watson was usually first in line as the quarterbacks rotated through drills, but Monken said the practice script called for Sanders to take more total reps.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Her three towering masts, which stand at approximately 328 feet and support over 16,000 square feet of rigid sails, can be rotated a full 360 degrees to maximize the wind, thereby reducing fuel consumption, lowering operating costs, and increasing efficiency.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Jerry swam strongly for three or four minutes, then rolled over on his back and floated.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Images taken a day earlier showed divers alongside Timmy as the humpback whale swam into the barge.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
29 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
-
Before Kate could respond, Emily whirled around and disappeared inside the house.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
What could’ve turned into a game of foul trouble and interruptions instead turned into a game Brunson controlled anyway.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Doja Cat turned herself into a work of art in head-to-toe Saint Laurent to attend The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2026 Met Gala in New York City on Monday.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Chevron's refiners swung to a loss of $817 million compared with a profit of $325 million in last year's quarter, due to the lower margins, the timing effects on financial hedges and higher transportation costs.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
-
Raschi threw, Miñoso swung and the ball took off to straightaway center, disappearing over the old bullpen fence, 415 feet away.—
Marianne Mather,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 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 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
