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
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Recent Examples of spun
Because of the gravitational influence of the Sun, and to a lesser extent Jupiter, on Earth’s daily rotation, Earth’s spin axis precesses, or moves in a circle, like a toy top spun on a table.
—
Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
The pundit and podcaster has spun dozens of unfounded conspiracy theories since her rise from communications director at Charlie Kirk’s conservative youth group, Turning Point USA, to become a far-right digital force with a podcast audience of some 6 million.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Fox leaped for the ball, spun nearly 360 degrees and finished the play with a slam over a contesting defender.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Circulose and Spinnova said their 2023 trials, which spun Circulose pulp into fiber for yarn and fabric, already proved the two technologies mesh well.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
The Post’s Broncos reporters Parker Gabriel and Luca Evans spun through Pro Football Focus’s mock-draft simulator for this exercise, which is only one broad tool that doesn’t actually wholly measure the areas NFL teams might have interest.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
Giggles echoed in a nearby play area where children twisted knobs and spun a wheel in a car-like play structure.
—Rachel Kraus, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Zilisch fought back into contention for the win in the final stage, but his race effectively ended when he was spun again in a restart out of a caution with 16 laps to go.
—Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Merrill spun baseline off Traoré for a 3-point play.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
The pundit and podcaster has spun dozens of unfounded conspiracy theories since her rise from communications director at Charlie Kirk’s conservative youth group, Turning Point USA, to become a far-right digital force with a podcast audience of some 6 million.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 5 Mar. 2026
Fox leaped for the ball, spun nearly 360 degrees and finished the play with a slam over a contesting defender.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
Circulose and Spinnova said their 2023 trials, which spun Circulose pulp into fiber for yarn and fabric, already proved the two technologies mesh well.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
The Post’s Broncos reporters Parker Gabriel and Luca Evans spun through Pro Football Focus’s mock-draft simulator for this exercise, which is only one broad tool that doesn’t actually wholly measure the areas NFL teams might have interest.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2026
Giggles echoed in a nearby play area where children twisted knobs and spun a wheel in a car-like play structure.
—Rachel Kraus, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Zilisch fought back into contention for the win in the final stage, but his race effectively ended when he was spun again in a restart out of a caution with 16 laps to go.
—Jim Vertuno, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Merrill spun baseline off Traoré for a 3-point play.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spun
Verb
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The works will be rotated throughout the galleries, allowing visitors to view them through a different lens.—
Alyson Rodriguez,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
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After the snap, the defense rotated into a Tampa 2.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cadets sophomore Pascal Zeruhn swam away with the 500-yard freestyle, winning the title by five and a half seconds.—
Pioneer Press,
Twin Cities,
28 Feb. 2026
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Albarn swam in the Ganges, scattered his father’s ashes into its mythology.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sun Ra twirled, his arms and wrists as fluid as a showgirl’s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
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Hannah Mae Speaker, of Portage, twirled on stage as Glinda from The Wizard of Oz.—
Anna Ortiz,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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City records going back to 2017, released to The Bee, in August show Karl Lysinger’s problems with the city revolved initially around his refusal to buy its water.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
18 Nov. 2025
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Beyond just apartments, the conversation in many races revolved — and diverged — around candidates’ attitudes toward growth in general.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The jaguar growled, whirled and bit off the protruding head of the arrow.—
Delbert L. Chears,
Outdoor Life,
5 Mar. 2026
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The journey started as a boy in Chicago, where sirens whirled through Rizzs’ neighborhood when the White Sox won the pennant in 1959.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What looked like a Plum showcase during the first half gradually turned into a Mist surge as Stewart began asserting herself on both ends of the floor.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
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Besides Heldens and Carpenter, also attached is former Disney Channels Worldwide president/Disney Branded Television president and chief creative officer Gary Marsh, who departed that post in 2021 and turned his attention to producing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Malkin turned around and swung his stick at Dahlin, hitting him in the neck and side of the head.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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Roman Anthony had a monster of a homer the other night for Team USA in a World Baseball Classic tune-up, and Ceddanne Rafaela swung the bat well, too, though obviously with him consistency will be key.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Its lower jaw twisted outward from back to front.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Mar. 2026
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Tanyka’s lower jaw twisted outward from back to front.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spun.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spun. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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