as in spiraling
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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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swirling
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Under the exquisite surface is something quite moving, a grieving family grappling with the kinds of big, swirling, complicated feelings that make life hard and art great.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Takumi Matsuzawa Matsuzawa studies turbulence, or the chaotic motions of swirling fluids.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Augusta National can still take a bite out of anyone with enough swirling gusts to bring indecision, or bad shots that wind up in the wrong spot.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Strong winds carried thick, swirling clouds of sand and dust across the area as the bride and groom were holding hands amid their photo shoot.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Scientists have now made this possible by creating optical tornadoes (also called optical vortices)—tiny, swirling structures of light inside a microscopic system.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
Fincke identified himself late last month as the one who was sick to end the swirling public speculation.
—Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
After a walk to hit pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa on a full count, Martin replaced Garcia and got a first pitch pop-up from old friend Adolis García that got caught up in the swirling 18-mph wind.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Rumors about the product have been swirling since last year, and the latest scoop says the company may be testing four different designs for the wearable.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
White clouds can be seen swirling on Earth's sunlit arc above the line separating night from day while the cratered expanse of the lunar disk stretches out below.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
For other applications, like glazing desserts, preparing a marinade, or swirling into baked goods, choosing based on texture and sweetness can yield better results.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Indifferent to the swirling pressures around him.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Over the years, Jill, Jessa, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and their cousin, Amy Duggar King, all married with children, have found different ways to cope with the controversy swirling around their family, from setting boundaries with them to breaking from their strict fundamentalist upbringing.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
He has not been charged in connection with the shooting, and his lawyer released a statement about rumors swirling about his involvement.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Denuded of vegetation, dry soil can go airborne in pillars of swirling dirt or sun-eclipsing dust storms that coat roads and buildings in sandy grit.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Lowery manifests that vision as a swirling tangle of red fabric that acquires an almost corporeal form, a mesmerizing jolt of color in the sumptuous darkness of DP Andrew Droz Palermo’s visuals (Rina Yang shot the concert scenes).
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Under the exquisite surface is something quite moving, a grieving family grappling with the kinds of big, swirling, complicated feelings that make life hard and art great.
—Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Takumi Matsuzawa Matsuzawa studies turbulence, or the chaotic motions of swirling fluids.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Augusta National can still take a bite out of anyone with enough swirling gusts to bring indecision, or bad shots that wind up in the wrong spot.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
Strong winds carried thick, swirling clouds of sand and dust across the area as the bride and groom were holding hands amid their photo shoot.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Scientists have now made this possible by creating optical tornadoes (also called optical vortices)—tiny, swirling structures of light inside a microscopic system.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
Fincke identified himself late last month as the one who was sick to end the swirling public speculation.
—Ben Kelly, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
After a walk to hit pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa on a full count, Martin replaced Garcia and got a first pitch pop-up from old friend Adolis García that got caught up in the swirling 18-mph wind.
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
There are already rumors swirling from Europe that former Barcelona legend and coach Xavi could be considered to replace Mascherano.
—Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Rumors about the product have been swirling since last year, and the latest scoop says the company may be testing four different designs for the wearable.
—Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 13 Apr. 2026
White clouds can be seen swirling on Earth's sunlit arc above the line separating night from day while the cratered expanse of the lunar disk stretches out below.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
For other applications, like glazing desserts, preparing a marinade, or swirling into baked goods, choosing based on texture and sweetness can yield better results.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Indifferent to the swirling pressures around him.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Over the years, Jill, Jessa, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and their cousin, Amy Duggar King, all married with children, have found different ways to cope with the controversy swirling around their family, from setting boundaries with them to breaking from their strict fundamentalist upbringing.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
He has not been charged in connection with the shooting, and his lawyer released a statement about rumors swirling about his involvement.
—Larry Seward, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Denuded of vegetation, dry soil can go airborne in pillars of swirling dirt or sun-eclipsing dust storms that coat roads and buildings in sandy grit.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirling
Adjective
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Still annoyed, weirdly offended, and slightly spiraling.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Violent confrontations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota are being driven by outside actors exploiting chaos, not organic protest, according to a protest insider warning that the situation is rapidly spiraling.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the butter is foamy, add the shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring often, until blackberries have released their juices, about 5 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Best Nightlife L’Antiquario One of just a handful of bars in Italy on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, this elegant drinking den serves creative cocktails, including a Negroni flight served on a rotating carousel.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2026
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But as soon as one flagellar motor reverses direction and starts rotating clockwise, the bundle falls apart; the reverse-twirling filament unravels the braid and puts the cell’s flagellar motors at cross-purposes, kicking the cell around.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But as soon as one flagellar motor reverses direction and starts rotating clockwise, the bundle falls apart; the reverse-twirling filament unravels the braid and puts the cell’s flagellar motors at cross-purposes, kicking the cell around.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
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By the time Adell delivered his two-run double in the fourth inning, one that inspired a twirling fist pump, the Angels were well on their way to an 8-0 victory on Friday night while ending the San Diego Padres’ eight-game winning streak.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But the Trail Blazers didn't spiral.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Rezz has become known over the years for her powerful live performances and her signature glowing spiral goggles.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In addition to not being able to slow down, some drivers found their vehicles spinning down the icy interstate.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The July 2025 crash sent both cars spinning into a third vehicle, injuring that driver and Carcamo-Meza’s passenger, police said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The uncanniness of twisting the paraphernalia of daily life into something unfamiliar or strange satisfied the Surrealist desire to subvert convention and tap into the unconscious.—
Eliza Goodpasture,
ARTnews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
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Tehran has made quite a penny charging tolls on the Strait, and twisting the knife by demanding payment in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan, according to the FT.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The main performance is scheduled to include aerial acrobatics, bondage, burlesque and drag performers from groups such as The Dragonettes, AKArts Collective and others with hypnotic live looping and vocal music from Morgan Sorne.—
Anne Schrager,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Feb. 2026
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Tight baseline battles, pressure from Shelton and counterattacks from Ruud, using the violent topspin of those big looping forehands.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirling. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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