1
as in swung
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
absentmindedly twirled a lock of her hair around her finger
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rotated
to move in circles around an axis or center
an ice-skater twirling in place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of twirled
Saliva, a yawn, even the sound of hair being twirled crackles with intensity thanks to Julij Zornik’s stark sound design.
—
David Opie, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
In the video, which reached over 2 million views as of Tuesday, Stubby twirled with excitement, showing off his fresh look.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
After the brother-sister duo twirled together, Dylan’s partner on the show, Daniella Karagach, stepped in to finish the routine.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Wings fluttered, tutus twirled and butterfly clips bobbed atop tiny heads as tiny hands, stained with chalk, turned the worn road into a living storybook.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
As the routine twirled to a close, Olivia ran back, embracing her older brother to thunderous applause.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
For ten days in July, fighter jets roared, infantry exchanged fire in crowded streets, and mobile missile launchers twirled their payloads from sandy beachheads as part of its annual Han Kuang exercises.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the years, the company artists have danced on the grass in the museum’s sculpture court or glided and twirled in the natural light that streams from gallery windows.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
The man twirled a weighted knife in his fingers and looked down with cold eyes that quieted the couple.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
David Opie, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
In the video, which reached over 2 million views as of Tuesday, Stubby twirled with excitement, showing off his fresh look.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
After the brother-sister duo twirled together, Dylan’s partner on the show, Daniella Karagach, stepped in to finish the routine.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Wings fluttered, tutus twirled and butterfly clips bobbed atop tiny heads as tiny hands, stained with chalk, turned the worn road into a living storybook.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
As the routine twirled to a close, Olivia ran back, embracing her older brother to thunderous applause.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
For ten days in July, fighter jets roared, infantry exchanged fire in crowded streets, and mobile missile launchers twirled their payloads from sandy beachheads as part of its annual Han Kuang exercises.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the years, the company artists have danced on the grass in the museum’s sculpture court or glided and twirled in the natural light that streams from gallery windows.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
The man twirled a weighted knife in his fingers and looked down with cold eyes that quieted the couple.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirled
Verb
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The door swung open on the second ring, and I was quickly ushered inside.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
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But then Goetz swung back around, assumed a combat stance, and began firing.—
Heather Ann Thompson,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By 1984, each of the British new wave gods’ first three albums had gone platinum, their cinematic videos were regularly rotated on MTV, and nonstop global touring attracted Swiftian levels of excitable fans.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
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Earlier this month, Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood eliminated the 10% allocation to bitcoin in his Fear & Greed portfolio and rotated into gold and gold-mining equities, citing the risk of quantum vulnerabilities.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Founders have spun up financial rails, currencies, and assets that no single party controls.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
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With just one point out of a possible 10 during this home stand, this team now feels more akin to the one that spun nearly out of control in November and December.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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City records going back to 2017, released to The Bee, in August show Karl Lysinger’s problems with the city revolved initially around his refusal to buy its water.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
18 Nov. 2025
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Beyond just apartments, the conversation in many races revolved — and diverged — around candidates’ attitudes toward growth in general.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For everyone other than the Hoosiers and Hurricanes, the page had been turned along with the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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The innocent girl turned jaded seductress, peeling off her sheer black lingerie to pose for the camera.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a desperate attempt to protect her baby, the victim whirled around, confronted Aherne and grabbed the knife in the stranger’s hand, her infant child falling from the changing table onto the floor during the scuffle, cops said.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Here it gets whirled with Parmesan and a handful of herbs that take it to the next level.—
Maggie Meyer Glisan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Karrie Downs confirmed that 99% of what is on Facebook is exaggerated or twisted in discussing social media photos of their property and confirmed there's no proof of where those photos were taken.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter drew up two first-quarter looks that sent completely unblocked rushers at Nix, and the Chargers twisted Denver’s offensive line around multiple times with exotic blitzes that sent rushers looping around to opposite gaps.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Getty Images In the frenzied state of whether the Los Angeles Dodgers have an unfair economic advantage – especially after Kyle Tucker signed his record four-year, $240 million deal with the club – talks of a salary cap have swirled.—
Maury Brown,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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A number of foreign correspondents posted messages Monday as speculation swirled that the international coverage will bear a substantial amount of cuts.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twirled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirled. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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