1
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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2
as in revolving
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 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
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
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Unforgotten offers a new mystery for each of its six (and counting) seasons while rotating through new detectives and supporting characters.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
-
One was a rotating disc that sent out beams of light.—
Collin Binkley,
Fortune,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Nuuly, which was founded in 2019, is just one of the many clothing-rental services encouraging young women to opt out of actually buying clothes and instead subscribe to a revolving closet.—
Annie Joy Williams,
The Atlantic,
12 June 2026
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Your credit score, revolving credit card balances, payment history and overall debt load are not factors Medicare uses when determining your eligibility.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
But once every four years, the globe stops spinning on its heavy axis.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
-
Freeman was standing on third with two out when Muncy stepped up to the plate and sent a spinning one-hopper to the right side of the infield.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Both of those latter cocktails are pure brightness, while the vanilla from the aged rum and the spice from the bitters in the Old Cuban moves it from poolside to inside as if under a slowly twisting ceiling fan in a smoky room, long narrow beams of light through the wooden shutters.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
6 June 2026
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Alex Edwards kneeled on the carpet to calm down Zuri Kafuko, 3, by twisting part of her hair back in place.—
William J. Ford,
Baltimore Sun,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The show follows Charles, Oliver and Mabel, three eccentric neighbors, who find purpose and chaos in solving murders that hit close to home through their true-crime podcast, turning their New York apartment building into a playground of mystery and mischief.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
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After 26 years of helping Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents through financial and housing difficulties, Crisis Assistance Ministry CEO Carol Hardison is turning a new page.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Listen to the episode or read on below for more on what Sweeney thought about Cassie’s final monologue, the rumors swirling around about drama within the cast, and the pole dancing scene that didn’t make the final cut.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
9 June 2026
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But recently, rumors started swirling that there was another bomb to drop.—
Julia Terruso,
Time,
8 June 2026
Verb
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After seeing his parents vanquished, young Adam is quickly sent by the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) with his all-powerful sword whirling away to Earth.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
2 June 2026
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Admittedly, on its best day, Penn Station feels like a whirling dervish.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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