Thesaurus results for TWIRLING

twirling

verb

present participle of twirl

as in rotating

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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as in revolving

to move in circles around an axis or center an ice-skater twirling in place

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 twirling On any other man, this level of villainy could be mustache-twirling and cartoonish. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 4 June 2026 The mustache-twirling villain flees, both Half-ATs and full-on AT-AT Walkers come into play, and our hero and Grogu finish the job. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026 Stephens never plays a mustache-twirling sadist, instead carrying himself with the unbearable confidence of a man truly convinced that his version of abuse and even murder is civilized. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026 Emmet Sheehan turned in perhaps his best start of the season Thursday, twirling six innings against the San Francisco Giants. — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 16 May 2026 Wow, Rob-Will (Jai Courtney) is a mustache-twirling villain right from the jump! — William Earl, Variety, 15 May 2026 The flowers of Love-in-a-Mist look like ballerina’s skirts twirling in the breeze. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 12 May 2026 Hands stretched, twirling as if being spun about. — ‘pemi Aguda, Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 These problems are so much more than any one mustache-twirling villain could ever hope to be. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling

Verb

Smith has experimented with several rotating analysts through the years; at least three of them (Keyshawn Johnson, Smith and Shannon Sharpe) were let go.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
Rather, currency will be extracted that can be used either to upgrade Vault Breaker kits or abilities, or it can be used to purchase rotating store items that can be used in any mode, including the normal extraction modes.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of rotating

Verb

Faithful gather to sing hymns and sip Bloody Marys, and a revolving cast of chaplains, including one who once served at the University of Texas chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, lead services.

— Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
Charlotte’s newest revolving sushi bar is poised to open later this week.

— Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026

Definition of revolving

Verb

With only 23 minutes of oxygen left, Foale and cosmonauts Vasily Tsibliev and Alexander ‘Sasha’ Lazutkin were able to repair the damage and stop the tumbling spacecraft from spinning wildly out of control.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 25 July 2026
Attendees are welcomed into the Nickelodeon activation with bubbles, a slime fountain and a big orange DJ stand spinning cartoon classics.

— Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026

Definition of spinning

Verb

As Smith read Colt’s writings, the teenager remained expressionless, sometimes gently rocking and twisting in his chair.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
A lot of this work is almost unreadable now, the pained efforts of young eggheads twisting themselves into rhetorical knots over the moral conundrums posed by real-world applications of Marxist principles.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026

Definition of twisting

Verb

That starts early, with Lily accusing Sam of turning her and Zac into an all-Asian team to compete against the whites.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 28 July 2026
While these signings rarely generate major headlines immediately, the Dodgers have developed a reputation for turning under-the-radar acquisitions into legitimate prospects.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Definition of turning

Verb

The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The assertion was intended to clear up confusion that began swirling over the weekend around a false positive test from the Food and Drug Administration—which Taylor Farms celebrated, sparking confusion.

— Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of swirling

Verb

The Argentina fans roused themselves, whirling their shirts above their heads.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
For much of the past week, all that Colombia had been able to agree upon was the pre-eminence of Luis Diaz, who remained a whirling dervish throughout the match as his side’s outstanding player.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Definition of whirling

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twirled

twirling

twirls

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“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of twirling

verb

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