twirling

verb

present participle of twirl
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

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 Choreographer Lincoln Jones walked among them, hand to chin, thinking, and at times twirling alone as if chasing whispers. — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
  1. rotating
  2. revolving
  3. spinning
  4. twisting
  5. turning
  6. swirling
  7. whirling
Verb
  • Coffee heads and tea aficionados will get their fill on the extensive, rotating offerings.
    — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In joining the program, Compagno will step down from her role on Outnumbered, a panel show which features four women and one male, and a rotating Fox News personality will fill the seat until a full-time co-host is named.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotating
Verb
  • Even in the face of all that pressure, the shows — which debuted the tour’s four revolving setlists — were wildly successful, with tributes to Peart helping one of rock’s most cerebral bands hit new heights of emotional impact.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
  • And with the average rate on credit card accounts that were charged interest recently topping 22%, falling behind on this type of revolving debt can become expensive quickly.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of revolving
Verb
  • Within a mind-spinning eight months, Zori Timeless Hotel was born, cleverly converted from the old pension into four luxurious residences within the confines of strict planning regulations that forced them to use the existing space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
  • About 30 riders were stranded upside down when the spinning pendulum-style ride became stuck in a vertical position on June 14, 2024.
    — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of spinning
Verb
  • Raman effortlessly turned the mayor’s rhetorical traps around like Bugs Bunny twisting Elmer Fudd’s rifle right in his face.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Then, use the extra leverage to try twisting your jar open again.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of twisting
Verb
  • But that doesn’t mean the show is cured of its worst instincts, like turning people’s very serious, consequential life problems into entertainment.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
  • That rare constellation of stars aligned Sunday, turning a lucrative trading card show into a priceless event for Florida fans.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • With so much change swirling, USF enters this fall with a hope-inducing schedule, one that doesn’t feature a single Power Four opponent.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
  • New York — Family drama is swirling around the sale of the Los Angeles Lakers.
    — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of swirling
Verb
  • The sounds of generators humming and chain saws whirling filled the neighborhood Thursday afternoon.
    — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Too bad then that Sophie is such a softie, secretly inviting the whirling dervish to their two days of rest and relaxation.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of whirling

Browse Nearby Words

twirled
twirling
twirls
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Cite this Entry

“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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