swirl 1 of 2

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

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
Controversy has been swirling in the Woodland Hills School District since November, when the board mysteriously put its new superintendent, Joe Maluchnik, on administrative leave, replacing him in an acting capacity with his assistant. Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 For years after the wedding, rumors of a family rift swirled as Brooklyn and Nicola skipped out on family events, including Nicola missing Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday party in April of 2024. Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
When its packaging and promotional material for children’s fluoride toothpaste shows the paste on a brush, the company will display a pea-sized amount, rather than the traditional swirl. Anna Clark, ProPublica, 14 Jan. 2026 May 21 – June 20 Ideas swirl with restless, playful sparks. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirl
Verb
  • An excitement began to stir inside her, awakened perhaps by his kind words.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Impacts can disable sensors, snap fins, or stir sediment that blinds cameras.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Researchers in Germany are set to turn green waste, hay and algae into fully biodegradable plastics.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Together, these trends have turned industrial space into a cornerstone of national logistics and digital capacity.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Orton wiggled out, and Zayn got a quick roll-up for two.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • This includes the Department of Justice suing 25 states, primarily run by Democrats, for refusing to turn over nonpublic voter rolls that contain sensitive data, including Social Security numbers.
    Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • An Innovation Council, a rotating group from across the company, meets monthly to champion new concepts.
    Daniel Scheffler, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Again against Chicago, Minnesota failed to contain the ball off the bounce and didn’t rotate well when it was forced to help after being beat at the point of attack.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Playing on a Rockets team with playoff aspirations, Sheppard struggled to find his footing and earn a rotation spot from head coach Ime Udoka.
    Rahat Huq, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Webb will join a rotation featuring left-hander Tarrik Skubal and right-hander Paul Skenes, the reigning AL and NL Cy Young Award winners.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Williams blasted Zayn with a spinning heel kick, but Priest entered the ring and hit him with a flatliner.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • Read more Now that opening-day speeches and start-of-session ceremonies are out of the way, the Colorado legislature’s work is beginning to spin up in earnest.
    The Denver Post, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The dirt of the desert is circling around in little eddies as the wind blends it together with the starlight.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2026
  • In a more complicated setup, gentle currents might merge into whirlpools and eddies.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Bring skates or rent a pair, and twirl around with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop.
    Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The trailer opens with the ominous tones on Also sprach Zarathustra and an image of a Presley nervously twirling his ring and tapping his foot.
    Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirl. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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