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 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
Aaron Gordon sat at his locker twirling the tape from his finger, unable to wrap his head around a stunning 119-114 defeat.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
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
Aaron Gordon sat at his locker twirling the tape from his finger, unable to wrap his head around a stunning 119-114 defeat.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
Verb
-
Local design is front and center in the lounge, including a rotating display of art and sculpture.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Other classics, both food and drink, will be rotating in and out throughout the summer-long gastronomic look back.—
Tony Sachs,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Many people rely on revolving debt, which moves balances from one card to another, with lower rates month to month.—
Ali Besharat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
United spent around £250million on new players in 2025-26, even without Champions League football, leaning heavily into their short-term revolving credit facility (RCF) to meet cashflow needs.—
Mark Critchley,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
The prototype was integrated with low-loss superconducting windings, a novel brushless starting mechanism, and internal cryogenic cooling that functions while spinning.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
On one side of the ball, the spinning surface moves in the same direction as the airflow, causing an increase in air velocity.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Press straight down to cut the dough, without twisting the cutter, to keep the layers intact.—
Terrence Hayes,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Now, the soon-to-be junior and 2024 Team USA Olympic alternate has plans of turning UGA gymnastics into a superpower, drawing enthusiasm similar to the school’s most prominent sport.—
Hunter DeLauder,
AJC.com,
3 June 2026
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The company specializes in repurposing old baseball gloves and turning them into one-of-a-kind leather products, particularly wallets, billfolds, card cases and money clips.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Ready to direct and protect, both from the men and from the swirling chaos that might otherwise harm you.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
As investigators renew the hunt for Lynette, speculation is swirling over where Brian may be following the mystery around his wife's disappearance.—
Kelsie Cairns,
FOXNews.com,
3 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
-
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 7 Jun. 2026.
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