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
Two go-go dancers twirled on a bar behind them.
—
Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
In one dugout, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner twirled changeups and heaved fastballs, asserting his dominance once again.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Belts and scarves can also be twirled and placed inside drawers or acrylic organizers, or, hung on closet rods with multi-tier hangers.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Kenya Moore has twirled her way to Kenya with her 5-year-old daughter Brooklyn.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Oct. 2024
Then a series of brightly familiar guitar notes twirled up from the stage and hung suspended in the arena like a set of Christmas lights.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
In one dugout, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner twirled changeups and heaved fastballs, asserting his dominance once again.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Belts and scarves can also be twirled and placed inside drawers or acrylic organizers, or, hung on closet rods with multi-tier hangers.
—Christina Pérez, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024
Kenya Moore has twirled her way to Kenya with her 5-year-old daughter Brooklyn.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 13 Oct. 2024
Then a series of brightly familiar guitar notes twirled up from the stage and hung suspended in the arena like a set of Christmas lights.
—Hanif Abdurraqib, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirled
Verb
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After the Blue Jays swung a trade to bring in Shane Bieber at this season's deadline, Edward Eng of FanSided's Jays Journal predicted the team would turn to him as a long-term replacement while letting Max Scherzer walk this winter.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Last year the park swung open the doors to equally ingenious fairytale rides themed to the Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan cartoons.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Toronto has rotated through six relievers at the back of the relief group in the last three weeks.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The band stretched and stretched — and then suddenly, for no apparent reason, the wheel rotated with a jerk.—
Gregory Barber,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But on just the third play of the fourth quarter, veteran tight end Zach Ertz turned a short pass in the flat into a 20-yard TD.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Arkansas defensive end Phillip Lee turned a question about the challenges Ole Miss presents into a reflection on what the Razorbacks are doing.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For her take on enduring Grease style, Bieber revolved her going-out look around a boxy moto jacket—one of her signature wardrobe staples.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
3 Sep. 2025
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At first, the drone business revolved mainly around film crews and hobbyists.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
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With the Dolphins down 23-20, Washington bobbled the punt return, ran to the right then spun back left en route to a 74-yard punt return touchdown.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
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The room seemed to flicker as an aerial dancer on Virgin Voyages’ newest ship spun in circles against bright lights.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After a Joey Estes fastball came near his head, Robles whirled around and chucked his bat at the pitcher.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Aug. 2025
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Between events, Diamandis whirled around, making and cementing connections.—
Tad Friend,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The agents pushed him against a metal fence, put his hands behind his back and twisted his arm, according to the lawsuit.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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Soon, you’re forced to become an even more ruthless killing machine by delivering multiple A-grade performances, before your arm’s twisted behind your back to deliver a solitary S-grade.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While conspiracy theories swirled online about his death, Trump himself even retweeted a conspiracy theory connecting Clinton to Epstein's death.—
Martha McHardy
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Trade speculation has swirled around Crosby for about five years now.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Twirled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirled. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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