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 The reel mounts to the wall with a two-point bracket (included) and smoothly swivels 180 degrees. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Aug. 2026 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 art space rotates through exhibition themes with submissions open to the public at the beginning of every other month.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The roller rotates constantly and gets rinsed with clean water, so the part touching the car always stays clean.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 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
  • Our fantasy football roundtable series turns its attention to running backs.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • India has put $160 million behind a Critical Mineral Recycling Incentive Scheme, and Vietnam’s Decree 05/2025 turns recycled electronics into tradable EPR certificates, making compliance a revenue line rather than a cost.
    — Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of turns
Verb
  • In the video, testers are seated in a ride vehicle attached to a robotic arm that swings around nearly 360 degrees in the air.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
  • During one of the more graphic sequences, It4mi swings a blade at the woman, severing her arm and sending blood across the frame.
    — Krystie Lee Yandoli, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of swings
Verb
  • The polar vortex is a wintertime phenomenon, a large area of cold air high up in our atmosphere that normally spins over the North and South poles (as its name suggests).
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In March and April 2025, the researchers pointed IXPE at 1E 1547-5408, a magnetar that spins once every two seconds and is unusual among its kind for steadily emitting radio waves.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of spins
Verb
  • West Cliff Drive is a road that twists and curves along Santa Cruz’s coastline, with dramatic cliffs and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, SFGate previously reported.
    — David Chiu, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the special, Scovel repeatedly invites his viewers to see his act in one way, twists the material back on itself, and then mock-angrily confronts the crowd for their inappropriate reaction.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of twists
Verb
  • Plan at least one day that starts with breakfast at Veranda, continues with a lazy stretch at the Four Seasons pool, and then pivots to Mandalay Bay Beach’s wave pool or lazy river if anyone in your group wants more action.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The Kiros campaign quickly pivots to a protest at the state capitol instead.
    — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 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 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swivels

Nglish: Translation of swivels for Spanish Speakers

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