swirl 1 of 2

verb

ˈswər(-ə)l How to pronounce swirl (audio)
Definition of swirlnext
1
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly kept swirling her lemonade until the ice had melted and it was completely watered down

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to turn
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis swirled her skirts as she danced the tango

Synonyms & Similar Words

swirl

2 of 2

noun

as in roll

Related 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 swirl
Verb
Way back in the spring of 2024, rumors began swirling that BMW was working on what would effectively be its equivalent of the G-Wagen or the Land Rover Range Rover. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026 Rumors swirled in recent years that a Home Improvement reunion was in the works, though Richardson herself denied any involvement. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 July 2026
Noun
There’s also Midnight Slack, featuring chocolate ice cream with a peanut butter swirl flavor. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 21 July 2026 More excitingly, the swirl of gas appears to be connected to a vast filament of material falling in toward the central supermassive black hole. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for swirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirl
  1. stir
  2. turn
  3. roll
  4. rotate
  5. rotation
  6. spin
  7. eddy
  8. twirl
Verb
  • Stir flour mixture into banana mixture until just combined; stir in pecans.
    — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Early on, the Pisces Moon in your 2nd House of Resources opposes Venus in your 8th House of Shared Commitments, stirring tension around budgets, favors, trust, or emotional debt.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Quixotic aerialists twisted, turned and unfolded above the crowd, using flowing fabric and butterfly-inspired movements to mirror the creatures being celebrated.
    — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Each has turned that necessity into an experience, a product category and a marketing language the C-suite can deploy far beyond sport.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of turn
Noun
  • Seth Rollins hit a superplex on Reigns, but Reigns countered the roll-through with a Guillotine.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Its ray illuminated a case of wrapping-paper rolls, a wooden stool, a broken box full of old picture frames.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of roll
Verb
  • The eclipse path also passes close to Earth’s equator, where the surface rotates faster.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Ice cream cones can also be dipped in a choice of rotating flavors.
    — Hali Smith August 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotate
Noun
  • In the playoffs, when more off-days allow for shorter rotations, Warren and Weathers could both be options out of the bullpen, as could Clake Schmidt, who is nearing a return from last summer’s Tommy John surgery.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • After the first-place Braves failed to pick up a top-line starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline, Elder and Grant Holmes made strong cases for the rotation Atlanta already has.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotation
Verb
  • Nearby, pottery wheels spin and campers record songs in the recording studio.
    — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Naima was a Muslim convert who likely spun Coltrane’s compass toward non-Western cultures.
    — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin
Noun
  • Tzikas pointed to the San Juan Rapids, Clay Banks and Sailor Bar areas as those with stronger currents and eddies that can throw individuals from their rafts and paddleboards or submerge them before shooting them rapidly downstream.
    — Reeti Malhotra July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Convection involves turbulent eddies of warm air rising from the ground into the atmosphere above, and latent heat involves the absorption or release of energy from a phase change without the temperature changing.
    — Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of eddy
Verb
  • Humanoids marched, backflipped, and twirled nunchucks; robotic pandas gambolled.
    — Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Sitting in front of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs today, Anthony Fauci twirled his pen.
    — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
Definition of twirl

Browse Nearby Words

swiping
swirl
swirled
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Cite this Entry

“Swirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirl. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swirl

Nglish: Translation of swirl for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swirl

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