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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of swirling
Malaka Gharib, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
The contest began as a defensive battle, with an early kickoff along with swirling winds contributing to a scoreless first quarter.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
Despite appearances to the contrary—the swirling sentences, the feverish intellection—there is nothing hermetic about Krasznahorkai’s work, both old and new, which squarely faces contemporary European reality and its perils, including the tortured dynamics of settlement, movement, and identity.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2025
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
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
Bente Birkeland, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
These two names have been swirling in speculation about Cena's final matches.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Not so long ago, questions were swirling about the prospects of the F1 movie, which starred Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Under the glow of swirling pink lights, theatrical fog and chiffon drapery, Uchis transformed Madison Square Garden into an otherworldly haven for her fans.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Your personal life is swirling with intensity, Cancer.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
By this point, rumors were swirling about Titanic's ability to succeed.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
The rain was more gentle, pushing ashore in North County in late morning, then spreading to the south and the east, often in the form of swirling mist.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
In the wake of an $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance, which closed in early August, rumors began swirling that Weiss was being courted to take over CBS News.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cook, stirring and swirling constantly, until the garlic is tender and fragrant, about 7 minutes.
—Malaka Gharib, NPR, 17 Oct. 2025
The contest began as a defensive battle, with an early kickoff along with swirling winds contributing to a scoreless first quarter.
—Andrew Cornelius, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
Despite appearances to the contrary—the swirling sentences, the feverish intellection—there is nothing hermetic about Krasznahorkai’s work, both old and new, which squarely faces contemporary European reality and its perils, including the tortured dynamics of settlement, movement, and identity.
—James Wood, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2025
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
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
Adjective
There is already so much disinformation swirling about voting systems and their security.
—Bente Birkeland, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
These two names have been swirling in speculation about Cena's final matches.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Not so long ago, questions were swirling about the prospects of the F1 movie, which starred Brad Pitt and Damson Idris.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Under the glow of swirling pink lights, theatrical fog and chiffon drapery, Uchis transformed Madison Square Garden into an otherworldly haven for her fans.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Your personal life is swirling with intensity, Cancer.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
By this point, rumors were swirling about Titanic's ability to succeed.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025
The rain was more gentle, pushing ashore in North County in late morning, then spreading to the south and the east, often in the form of swirling mist.
—Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Oct. 2025
In the wake of an $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance, which closed in early August, rumors began swirling that Weiss was being courted to take over CBS News.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirling
Verb
-
Wrapped in a towel, barely stirring, but slightly breathing, was a newborn baby girl buried beneath a foot of earth.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Uncover and cook on medium-high until sauce is thickened and glazy, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As de rigueur with the rotating doors in the C-suite of a new merger, Paramount Global and Marketing Distribution Boss Marc Weinstock and Domestic Distribution President Chris Aronson are departing.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Other photos show just mom and her daughter twirling together alone.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Sprinklers were twirling on little patches of lawn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Subaru’s rural test site didn’t lend itself to the stop and go city driving where hybrids shine, but the Crosstrek’s extra power was apparent on twisting mountain roads.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
-
When the sprouts are 5 to 6 inches long, remove the slips by twisting them off the potato or cutting the potato into sections between each sprout.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In Hubble's recent image, NGC 6951 unfurls its graceful spiral arms, covered in red nebulae glowing with hydrogen gas, a key fuel for new stars.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
20 Oct. 2025
-
But the field now is worlds away from those midnight pencil scribbles in a spiral notebook that kept his son alive until better technology came along.—
Carrie Arnold,
Scientific American,
14 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
-
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
-
Families are turning dinner into an activity by using pizza dough or premade crusts to mold fun, spooky shapes, like ghosts, pumpkins, and bats, before topping them with sauce, cheese, and all their favorite fixings.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
-
With income inequality growing and more seniors falling into poverty each year, this is an ominous sign for the largest surge of Americans turning 65 daily in history, experts said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Vertigo takes passengers several feet high in the air, spinning riders on swings at the top.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Turns out his co-workers were more focused on crunching numbers than spinning tracks.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Swirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirling. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share