Synonyms of swirling

swirling 1 of 2

adjective

as in spiraling

Related Words

• spiraling
• circling
• spiral
• coiled
• coiling
• looping
• zigzag
• twisting
• indirect
• twisted
• corkscrew
• zigzagging
• winding
• serpentine
• curved
• sinuous
• curving
• tortuous
• roundabout
• bending
• circuitous
• curled
• curling
• wandering
• curvy
• crooked
• jagged
• windy
• devious
• crazy
• rambling
• meandering
• uneven
• irregular

Dissimilar Words

• straight
• direct
• linear
• straightaway

swirling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of swirl

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

• stirring
• churning
• washing
• whirling
• shaking
• agitating
• whisking
• whipping
• reeling
• beating
• paddling
• wheeling

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

• rotating
• twirling
• spinning
• twisting
• swinging
• turning
• whirling
• rolling
• revolving
• swiveling
• pivoting
• wheeling
• winding
• screwing
• reeling
• circulating
• cranking
• unscrewing
• coiling
• twiddling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of swirling

Adjective

Ben’s view Hoffman, who sometimes works from a small swivel chair in her children’s room, has followed a path from social video into the center of the swirling news cycles of true crime and celebrity. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Uncover and continue to cook, stirring or swirling pot occasionally, until caramel turns a deep golden brown, 10–12 minutes. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026

The dress had a gold backdrop with plenty of metallic hues blended into the swirling pattern, varying shades of silver appearing along the fabric for a gorgeous foil-like motif. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026

As is the case with all of OTC’s previous music, part of the charm is its swirling ambiguity, but this time there’s additional poignance in the backstory. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026

The remarks were just the latest in a swirling and highly public war of words between state and federal officials. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

The heaviness comes from the fact that the artist died in April, at age forty-six, but it’s also embedded in the paintings on view—in the bursts of fire and swirling floods that mark them. — Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

But most visitors were gathered around one explosively colorful painting in swirling shades of light and dark blue, bottle green, and pale gold. — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026

Executed in a mixture of shoe polish and alcohol, the mural features the swirling, graphic forms and figures that would soon become hallmarks of his work. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

Questions are still swirling after a Sacramento steakhouse suddenly closed its doors, with a lawsuit from employees in tow. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

That one image—blue oceans swirling with white clouds, landmasses without borders—reshaped the cultural imagination. — Andrew Zuckerman, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2026

Casting rumors for the new Bond have recently reached a fever pitch, with names like Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden swirling around. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026

Since rumors began swirling on social media about her appointment, scores of editors, stylists, influencers and celebrities rejoiced online. — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026

Melissa Chiu, who held the position for 12 years, stepped down earlier this year to be the director of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and rumors are swirling about who will succeed her in the post. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026

And the automaker has plenty on the horizon, with rumors swirling this summer that a Bronco pick-up truck may be in the works. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2026

And there are plenty of other proposals swirling for using the oodles of money behind data centers to improve local infrastructure. — Sara Herschander, Vox, 5 Nov. 2026

That said, why are there questions about Charles’ inheritance swirling? — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Nov. 2026