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
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
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
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
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
Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Adjective
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
-
Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and become slightly golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes.—
Faye Levy,
Oc Register,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Keep it at room temperature for up to three days, stirring the mixture once per day.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Instead, the integration of HRC US has resulted in some staff rotating through F1 programs in Europe and Japan.—
Sam Abuelsamid,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The undulating building features exhibition spaces, a library, a museum, and concert venues where a rotating program of art exhibitions, performances, conferences, and workshops showcase Azeri history and contemporary culture, both local and international.—
Mae Hamilton,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But then, in August of 2024, it got stuck — again — this time slowly twirling in a kind of ocean vortex known as the Taylor column.—
Kat Lonsdorf,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
No, just experience twisting her hair into a bun and tucking the ends underneath.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This can be something forceful falling or pressing on the toe or twisting it in an awkward manner.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Place in springform pan, spiral side up, and repeat until pan is filled.—
Bethany Thayer,
Freep.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Employers look for people who can set priorities and stay on top of deadlines without letting costs spiral out of control.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The crowd takes it all in wearing headphones with green lights, turning the night into a kind of silent disco in a scene straight out of Mad Max.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
The Andante cantabile offers benevolence tinged with shadow, its harmonies turning suddenly ominous.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Scott appeared to have done his job, spinning a full-count slider below the strike zone that Lee chased.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Ledford is a songwriter to watch, spinning urgent, gripping tales of life’s ups and downs in the midst of a wildly colorful and psychedelic musical universe.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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 16 Sep. 2025.
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