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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in spiraling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of swirling
Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Stocked with swirling synths and a driving bass line, the song sounds custom made for roller rinks in the ‘70s, but is equally irresistible today.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
My personal favorite is her left hand pointer finger, where minuscule 3D eyeballs were placed atop a hypnotizing, swirling red design.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Sep. 2025
The oceans are their own swirling mess, deeply interwoven with climate and weather alike.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Others are greedily consuming matter that surrounds them in a flattened, swirling cloud called an accretion disk.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The massive house spans three stories, including a reception room, bedroom, bathroom, a roof terrace—and, most impressively, a swirling waterslide that shoots out the side of the building, winding around a palm tree.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Others say the dot of dark red grease that floats on top of a bowl of this gravy resembles an eye, a bit like a swirling hurricane eye.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Electrons from these events interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere and create energy in the form of swirling, colorful lights.
—Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Stretching to the pointed edge of the property is a 62-foot-long rectangular infinity pool adorned with mosaic tiles in swirling shapes that mimic the greenish glow of bioluminescence.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
As fans begin to stream the singer’s twelfth studio album for the first time, rumors are swirling about who has inspired the 12 tracks.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
There are rumors swirling there may be a new woman in the country star’s life already.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The questions around head coach McDaniel’s future were swirling so a victory helps quell some of the doubts, while Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is still searching for his first win at the helm.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Rumors had been swirling over the past few weeks that Adele and Taylor Swift both passed on performing during next year’s game.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
As Priestly emerged to take her place on the front row, speculation immediately began swirling through the Dolce & Gabbana’s Metropole venue.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2025
Forecasters say Humberto could pull Imelda to the east; could pull Imelda apart; could form one even larger storm; or in the rarest of possibilities, could engage in the Fujiwhara Effect swirling around a spot similar to what Philippe and Rina did in 2023.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
Through the darkness and swirling mist, ghostly figures emerge from the looming ship.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Stocked with swirling synths and a driving bass line, the song sounds custom made for roller rinks in the ‘70s, but is equally irresistible today.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
My personal favorite is her left hand pointer finger, where minuscule 3D eyeballs were placed atop a hypnotizing, swirling red design.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 18 Sep. 2025
The oceans are their own swirling mess, deeply interwoven with climate and weather alike.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Others are greedily consuming matter that surrounds them in a flattened, swirling cloud called an accretion disk.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The massive house spans three stories, including a reception room, bedroom, bathroom, a roof terrace—and, most impressively, a swirling waterslide that shoots out the side of the building, winding around a palm tree.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Others say the dot of dark red grease that floats on top of a bowl of this gravy resembles an eye, a bit like a swirling hurricane eye.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Electrons from these events interact with oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth’s atmosphere and create energy in the form of swirling, colorful lights.
—Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The debuts of an unprecedented number of designers at brands from Dior to Chanel and Versace have been swirling around Michele and the house of Valentino is now being led by a new chief executive officer, Riccardo Bellini, who succeeded Jacopo Venturini in August.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
Stretching to the pointed edge of the property is a 62-foot-long rectangular infinity pool adorned with mosaic tiles in swirling shapes that mimic the greenish glow of bioluminescence.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2025
As fans begin to stream the singer’s twelfth studio album for the first time, rumors are swirling about who has inspired the 12 tracks.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
There are rumors swirling there may be a new woman in the country star’s life already.
—Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025
The questions around head coach McDaniel’s future were swirling so a victory helps quell some of the doubts, while Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is still searching for his first win at the helm.
—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Rumors had been swirling over the past few weeks that Adele and Taylor Swift both passed on performing during next year’s game.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
As Priestly emerged to take her place on the front row, speculation immediately began swirling through the Dolce & Gabbana’s Metropole venue.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2025
Forecasters say Humberto could pull Imelda to the east; could pull Imelda apart; could form one even larger storm; or in the rarest of possibilities, could engage in the Fujiwhara Effect swirling around a spot similar to what Philippe and Rina did in 2023.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirling
Verb
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Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Cook, stirring often, until apples are slightly softened, about 8 minutes.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Every menu for game day will be different Carlisle brings a decade of experience to The Reserve and promises an eclectic menu featuring rotating seasonal and regional dishes throughout the Bucks season.—
La Risa R. Lynch,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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In addition to its variety of rotating flavors, Baskin-Robbins features a new flavor each month, and this one will only be in orbit through the end of October.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other photos show just mom and her daughter twirling together alone.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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Sprinklers were twirling on little patches of lawn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By twisting the proportions into something sharper and more architectural, the brand signaled both continuity and change in its first women’s outing under Anderson’s watch.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
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The eight-time Pro Bowler had just caught a 10-yard pass when Jets safety Malachi Moore tackled him out of bounds, twisting his leg underneath him.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The resulting look was a volume-packed, fluffy head of tiny spiral curls that could be dramatically teased.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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But a new study points in a different direction, linking them instead to superwind outflows from spiral host galaxies.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Key qualities are the multicolor LED lights and sound machine functions (30 non-looping sounds, by the way).—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
18 Sep. 2025
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Following the close pass, 2025 FA22 will continue its 668-day looping path through the inner solar system that takes it well beyond the orbit of Mars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Kempes scored his second on the stroke of half-time in extra time, bundling his way past two Dutch defenders and goalkeeper Jongbloed before scrappily turning home a shot that deflected in off Wim Suurbier.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Knudsen, chief scientific adviser in research and early development at Novo Nordisk, played a pivotal role in turning it into an effective drug promoting weight loss that millions of people take today.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Legend has it that spinning three times with your right heel on the testicles of the bull in its center will bring you good luck.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
AFAR Media,
3 Oct. 2025
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Tropical Storm Octave is spinning over the tropical eastern Pacific, according to the NHC.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirling. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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