as in spiraling
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1
as in stirring
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
2
as in rotating
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
swirled her skirts as she danced the tango
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swirling
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 Feb. 2026
Instead, most overuse injuries emerge from a swirling mix of risk factors and warning signs and fluke missteps.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
The power of Brontë’s novel comes from its complex structure and dark, unfiltered prose that envelops you in the swirling, all-encompassing obsession of its protagonists.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
The latest revelations come shortly after Mountbatten-Windsor moved out of his longtime Windsor home, just outside of London, amid the swirling Epstein scandal.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
This gives circular designs a dimensional swirling effect, but what about linear designs and stripes?
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Kelsea Ballerini channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a form-fitting halter gown drenched in intricate metallic beadwork in shades of gold, bronze, and olive, arranged in swirling, paisley-like patterns with fringe detailing cascading from the skirt and train.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
And with a swirling snow falling in the second half which made scoring near impossible, the Broncos needed to grab points when the situation arose.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
The Patriots advanced with a 10-7 win against the Denver Broncos in the middle of a swirling snowstorm.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In 1955, Universal arranged for closeted gay heartthrob Rock Hudson to be married off to his agent’s secretary amid swirling speculation about his sexuality.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Oscar buzz is already swirling around leading lady Amy Adams.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Controversy is swirling in curling at the Winter Olympics.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Joan applies hers liberally, contouring her cheekbones and swirling it around her lips in the shade ‘spicy,’ the most bronzed of the six shades on offer.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Dubai moved to end the negative publicity swirling around one of its most prominent companies by appointing a new leadership team to ports group DP World.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Pebble Beach had an extra buzz Friday morning with rumors swirling in the cool Pacific breeze Swift would be there to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, playing in the PGA Tour event that combines corporate CEOs and celebrities with golf's best.
—CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Gas and dust swirling around a black hole block visible light, but infrared light can punch right through.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
The new pair isn’t a one-to-one remake of the Air Foamposite One’s look, which featured a swirling mix of blues and purples.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 Feb. 2026
Instead, most overuse injuries emerge from a swirling mix of risk factors and warning signs and fluke missteps.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
The power of Brontë’s novel comes from its complex structure and dark, unfiltered prose that envelops you in the swirling, all-encompassing obsession of its protagonists.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
The latest revelations come shortly after Mountbatten-Windsor moved out of his longtime Windsor home, just outside of London, amid the swirling Epstein scandal.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
This gives circular designs a dimensional swirling effect, but what about linear designs and stripes?
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2026
Kelsea Ballerini channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a form-fitting halter gown drenched in intricate metallic beadwork in shades of gold, bronze, and olive, arranged in swirling, paisley-like patterns with fringe detailing cascading from the skirt and train.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
And with a swirling snow falling in the second half which made scoring near impossible, the Broncos needed to grab points when the situation arose.
—Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
The Patriots advanced with a 10-7 win against the Denver Broncos in the middle of a swirling snowstorm.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Giancarlo Stanton didn’t have much to say Tuesday with reports swirling that Tony Clark, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, planned to abruptly announce his resignation.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
In 1955, Universal arranged for closeted gay heartthrob Rock Hudson to be married off to his agent’s secretary amid swirling speculation about his sexuality.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Oscar buzz is already swirling around leading lady Amy Adams.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 16 Feb. 2026
Controversy is swirling in curling at the Winter Olympics.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Joan applies hers liberally, contouring her cheekbones and swirling it around her lips in the shade ‘spicy,’ the most bronzed of the six shades on offer.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Dubai moved to end the negative publicity swirling around one of its most prominent companies by appointing a new leadership team to ports group DP World.
—Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Pebble Beach had an extra buzz Friday morning with rumors swirling in the cool Pacific breeze Swift would be there to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, playing in the PGA Tour event that combines corporate CEOs and celebrities with golf's best.
—CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Gas and dust swirling around a black hole block visible light, but infrared light can punch right through.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirling
Adjective
-
Violent confrontations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota are being driven by outside actors exploiting chaos, not organic protest, according to a protest insider warning that the situation is rapidly spiraling.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Demonstrations broke out over the near-collapse of the rial and spiraling economic conditions but grew to become a larger movement against the regime.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The dynamic Sun in your 10th House of Career and Status squares rebellious Uranus in your 1st House of Identity, stirring shifts in your visibility.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Curiosity widens your world as the intuitive Moon enters your 9th House of Higher Learning, stirring questions about subjects and plans that reach beyond your daily routine.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But Western brands often treat the zodiac like a rotating visual gimmick — 12 animals, 12 years, rinse and repeat.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Food and drink Onsite restaurant L’Escale is just as much a Greenwich institution as the hotel itself—a proper entity conveniently attached at the hip to your lodging for power lunchers in daylight, special-occasion diners in the evening, and a rotating cast of Hopper subjects always at the bar.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Venus, planet of connection, is twirling into your sociable 11th house, enhancing group ties and reminding your independent heart to welcome supportive networks.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Chuky said, twirling a thick finger at Adi’s rifle.—
Jonathan Miles,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Act before your accounts spiral too far Waiting to pursue forgiveness until your debt is severely delinquent can hurt your leverage and your credit.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Pink is then used for the leather mustache and an insole with a dotted spiral pattern.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The crisp writing moves the story at nearly head-spinning pace.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
-
But this night wasn't just about spinning the most.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Reaching backward or twisting around other people to grab a bag is awkward and strains muscles.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the rest of us are left twisting in the wind.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tight baseline battles, pressure from Shelton and counterattacks from Ruud, using the violent topspin of those big looping forehands.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Maggie Daley Park Chicago The quarter-mile outdoor skating ribbon in Maggie Daley Park—with 27,500 feet of ice surface—is a looping path with slight elevation changes that curves past pine trees, a rock climbing wall, and a gorgeous city view.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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