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

The resulting, room-sized artwork engulfed visitors in a swirling fantasia featuring bouncing balls, morphing nets and slow-motion action shots of Messi. — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 29 July 2026

Because of the nature of unique formation and structure of burls, grain formation is unusual, creating swirling patterns that can be very beautiful. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

There’s something undeniably joyful about this tray, from its scalloped border to its swirling marble finish. — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026

These would fall back to the center of the galaxy and form a swirling disk around its incumbent black hole, once again feeding it and triggering a new period of growth. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 July 2026

In the mural, the figure’s lower half seems to be submerged in swirling water. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026

This year’s thrill rides feature a new twirling and swirling ride called the Hip Hop, a Viva Las Vegas fun house, and a grand carousel, the largest traveling carousel in the country. — Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

The swirling white patterns on the vibrant blue and red base creates a visually stunning look. — Omenaa Boakye, InStyle, 12 July 2026

Also amid the swirling news cycle, the Kentucky senator's youngest daughter, Porter McConnell, deleted her social media account on X, according to the Independent. — Gabrielle Banks, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Verb

Following that will not be straightforward and, in the short-term, Howe’s departure will do little to calm the angst which has been swirling around the club in recent weeks. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Way back in the spring of 2024, rumors began swirling that BMW was working on what would effectively be its equivalent of the G-Wagen or the Land Rover Range Rover. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026

Two of the biggest questions swirling around training camp revolve around Cooper, the 28-year-old defender who had averaged nine sacks over the past three seasons. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 28 July 2026

Rumors have been swirling around the details of the third entry in the Black Panther series for years — many of them generated by members of the film’s high-profile cast. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026

The tissue is solid wood and will have intricate, swirling grain patterns. — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026

Wrapped in a rich, swirling burl wood veneer with a high-gloss finish accented with bold, oversized circular brass pulls, its vibe is very disco-era decadence. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026

The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

But in this age of instant social media images swirling across the globe, the red carpet — and the images generated from it — has become as vital a part of a movie’s marketing campaign as any film poster or preview. — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 July 2026