swivels

verb

present tense third-person singular of swivel
as in rotates
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis the cat swiveled one ear to listen to a sound outside swiveled around in his office chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 swivels Alison swivels her head towards Kyle. — Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026 Easy to stash in a purse or beach bag, the stick swivels up so no sharpening is required—nor is a brush. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swivels
  1. rotates
  2. twirls
  3. turns
  4. swings
  5. spins
  6. twists
  7. pivots
Verb
  • The band rotates through instruments, including alpenhorns, cow bells, and a xylophone, and invites guests onto the floor to polka.
    — Jacqueline Dole, Southern Living, 10 July 2026
  • The author rotates in and out of the lives of her cast, teasing out perspectives, manifesting the notion that friendships are what hold us together, year in, year out.
    — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026
Definition of rotates
Verb
  • Inside, Benjamin Davalos twirls his measuring jigger and, with a turn of his wrist, releases a swallow’s worth of straight rye.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
  • With smoke streaming from his mouth and nose, McTominay twirls the delighted older man around.
    — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026
Definition of twirls
Verb
  • Using the Corsairs to strike a fortified naval port directly without risking human operators turns that tactic on its head.
    — David Szondy July 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
  • The additional wattage turns the usual 2-D projection into a 3-D production.
    — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 14 July 2026
Definition of turns
Verb
  • Lizzo observed that this pressure on women is part of a cultural shift — one that swings toward cruelty.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Collin Morikawa, on the other hand, swings the driver 7 mph slower but loses only 11 yards of distance.
    — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of swings
Verb
  • The Catherine wheel of anxiety spins in the largest military alliance in history, with some justification.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
Definition of spins
Verb
  • An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026
  • Pimiento cheese is a Southern classic, and this dip adds a couple twists to impress at any gathering.
    — Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Definition of twists
Verb
  • Yet when one of the veterans finally receives meaningful discipline, the conversation suddenly pivots away from Clark's safety and toward sympathy for the player who committed the foul.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Sleek rooms were designed by Andre Fu, there’s a central courtyard garden that pivots around a huge cherry tree, and expansive hot spring onsen pools in the basement.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Definition of pivots

Browse Nearby Words

swiveling
swivels
swivet
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Cite this Entry

“Swivels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swivels. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swivels

Nglish: Translation of swivels for Spanish Speakers

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