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
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025
However, beneath the surface lies a hidden world of swirling currents, where grains sneak sideways or loop in circles instead of following the obvious flow.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Settle in, and enjoy the repetition of swirling, pouring, and sipping.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
There's something for every ghoul and goblin in this batch of potent potions and swirling elixirs.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
From the molten core beneath your feet to the swirling atmosphere above, Earth is a masterpiece of balance and motion.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Another flurry of treacherous rotation roiled the tape, though by the closing hour the swirling currents were showing signs of slowing.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
Federal forecasters said a swirling system of warm, descending air over the crosshairs that divides Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico will toast the region through the weekend.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025
Here the great proliferator tries, fleetingly, to fix the point of departure for all her novel’s swirling forms.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Thaksin’s hospital case Speculation is now swirling in Thailand that Thaksin may not return.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
While there are rumors swirling online that Swift might perform, this is not confirmed.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Rumors of their split began swirling in late June, and speculation grew when Bloom arrived in Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánches Bezos' wedding without Perry.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Well, absolutely, and that comes up in all the literature that's out there swirling around this issue.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Instead of swirling jam into the batter, it's spread between baked spice cake layers, for a vibrant, fruit-forward filling.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Some take detours, swirling sideways beneath the surface, subtly shaping how far and fast a landslide travels.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
At one point, a bird crashes into the aerial camera, sending the device swirling down to Earth like a meteor bent on a crash land.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
Sensitive and gentle, and then pained and rageful, his transformation into a swirling vortex of destruction is captivating to watch and deserves all the plaudits.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2025
However, beneath the surface lies a hidden world of swirling currents, where grains sneak sideways or loop in circles instead of following the obvious flow.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
Settle in, and enjoy the repetition of swirling, pouring, and sipping.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
There's something for every ghoul and goblin in this batch of potent potions and swirling elixirs.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
From the molten core beneath your feet to the swirling atmosphere above, Earth is a masterpiece of balance and motion.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Another flurry of treacherous rotation roiled the tape, though by the closing hour the swirling currents were showing signs of slowing.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2025
Federal forecasters said a swirling system of warm, descending air over the crosshairs that divides Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico will toast the region through the weekend.
—Dennis Romero, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025
Here the great proliferator tries, fleetingly, to fix the point of departure for all her novel’s swirling forms.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Trump not only addressed the rumors swirling about his death and health in the speech to his top allies, but also the controversial changes to the historic rose garden.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Thaksin’s hospital case Speculation is now swirling in Thailand that Thaksin may not return.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025
While there are rumors swirling online that Swift might perform, this is not confirmed.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Rumors of their split began swirling in late June, and speculation grew when Bloom arrived in Venice for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánches Bezos' wedding without Perry.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Well, absolutely, and that comes up in all the literature that's out there swirling around this issue.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Instead of swirling jam into the batter, it's spread between baked spice cake layers, for a vibrant, fruit-forward filling.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2025
Some take detours, swirling sideways beneath the surface, subtly shaping how far and fast a landslide travels.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025
At one point, a bird crashes into the aerial camera, sending the device swirling down to Earth like a meteor bent on a crash land.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirling
Verb
-
The Shroud of Turin — a 14-foot-long linen cloth bearing an image of a crucified man — has captivated people for centuries, stirring debate over whether the relic once wrapped the body of Jesus Christ.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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When the foam subsides, add the onion, thyme, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are tender, translucent, and deeply golden brown, 8–10 minutes.—
Jeremiah Langhorne,
Saveur,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some overseas investors have also been unloading government bonds and rotating into Japanese equities , driving its stock markets to fresh highs, analysts who spoke to CNBC noted.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
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Right across from Waverly Local, a new wine bar, Waverly Proper, offers vino-tastings and rotating pop-up events on weekends as well as yoga classes and other community gatherings during the week in the town’s old general store.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On a recent summer evening, at the monthly Sunset & Salsa rooftop party, twirling couples filled the dance floor hours before the harsh sun finally set.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Visualizing the ropes of the nets twisting around the necks of these animals, slowly strangling, choking, running out of oxygen.—
Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
In the early 2000s, a vein of innovation was being mined by artists twisting folk traditions into new shapes (Sufjan Stevens’s whimsical orchestration, Animal Collective’s ghostly harmonizing, Joanna Newsom’s harp epics).—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Cut dough spiral into 12 equal pieces.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
-
At an alumni game at Brigham Young University, Young, on the field with much younger men, can’t resist the chance to test his spiral one last time.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Part sports-underdog biopic, part domestic-abuse-survivor’s tale, and a textbook example of why turning a true story into tony entertainment is a real tightrope walk, this drama has extremely recognizable beats.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The other two possessions ended in a Jenkins interception and FIU turning the ball over on downs.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If only the series had more faith in its viewers to appreciate that vision without the unnecessary noise of a biker gang spinning its wheels.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
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Two hurricanes are spinning in the Pacific Ocean, with Hurricane Kiko located more than 1,000 miles away from Hawaii and Hurricane Lorena potentially set to cause some trouble in northwestern Mexico.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There will be a huge tornado in whirling fabric and a room dedicated to Oz.—
Laura Bannister,
Curbed,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirling. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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