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
The trailer opens with the ominous tones on Also sprach Zarathustra and an image of a Presley nervously twirling his ring and tapping his foot.
—
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025
There was the six-member step team, two girls twirling flags and three more spinning rings.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2025
The 17-second TikTok shows the stars swaying and twirling together amid a group of dancers at Broken Spoke.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
At its center is a 30-foot ferris wheel with twirling elements including a sun and moon, and 28 mechanical butterflies with beating wings flitting among colorful flowers.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
The towels started twirling again.
—D’joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
The loudest section left belonged to a group of shirtless men twirling their shirts overhead as Colorado trailed 52-14.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
After spinning, flipping and twirling their hearts out, the pair received a score of 34 from the judges.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Up-and-comer status gifted el Khaleel’s group, Mantronix, with the glory of a four-hundred-dollar gig at the rec center, home to youth basketball games, baton-twirling competitions, after-school child care, and — on occasion — community concerts.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025
There was the six-member step team, two girls twirling flags and three more spinning rings.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2025
The 17-second TikTok shows the stars swaying and twirling together amid a group of dancers at Broken Spoke.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
At its center is a 30-foot ferris wheel with twirling elements including a sun and moon, and 28 mechanical butterflies with beating wings flitting among colorful flowers.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025
The towels started twirling again.
—D’joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 2025
The loudest section left belonged to a group of shirtless men twirling their shirts overhead as Colorado trailed 52-14.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
After spinning, flipping and twirling their hearts out, the pair received a score of 34 from the judges.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
Up-and-comer status gifted el Khaleel’s group, Mantronix, with the glory of a four-hundred-dollar gig at the rec center, home to youth basketball games, baton-twirling competitions, after-school child care, and — on occasion — community concerts.
—Jeff Pearlman, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
Verb
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Live music adds to the evening energy, particularly on weekends, with rotating performers across Paralía, Luma, the lobby, and the Rum Bar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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Every Monday night, Bica hosts an industry night with rotating guest chefs.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While some pay off the balance each month, roughly 60% of credit card users have revolving debt, the New York Fed said.—
Stephanie Dhue,Sharon Epperson,Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
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With that, Wrigley announced a plan to have the team run by a revolving college of coaches.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The next morning, Helen sits at the kitchen table, pinching one of the seed pods that Thiago gave her between her thumb and forefinger and spinning it like a top.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
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One way to understand the head-spinning nature of being an American over the past couple of decades is that this debate—one that history seemed to have settled in Locke’s favor—is alive again.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Two prospectors who had once flown over the area confirmed that, seen from above, the rivers looked like a handful of golden worms twisting through the green.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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As much a gripping, twisting whodunnit as a heart-wrenching depiction of the aftermath of loss, grief and warped masculinity.—
Rebecca Hannigan,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Weekly mopping might help to prevent food, dirt, and debris from turning into mold, which could damage your grout.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
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But the momentum in the NFL’s longest-running rivalry seems to be turning, with the Bears beating the Packers for the third time in the past five games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The clouds have been swirling around Andrews for much of the season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
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Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Though lazy Susans are better known for their utility on the table, consider getting one for more flexibility and succinct storage space within corner cabinets for whirling out pots and pans.—
Alex Ronan,
Architectural Digest,
1 Jan. 2026
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Dru Smith remains a whirling dervish on defense, delivering three more steals.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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