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
Relevance
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
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
-
Bake tart on baking sheet, rotating front to back halfway through, until almonds and crust are deep golden brown, 45–55 minutes.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For the remainder of the final season, Penny Marshall was paired with rotating guest stars for a series of comedic misadventures.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Without Champions League football in 2026-27, there is every chance United will have to borrow money to spend significantly and dip back into their revolving credit facility — essentially, a bank overdraft — which funded much of last summer’s £215million expenditure.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
On the positive side, there isn't too much panic on the credit side of the equation yet for the sector, according to one banker, with revolving lines of credit not yet being drawn.—
Seema Mody,
CNBC,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Others of note Right-hander Bryce Meccage is 93-96 with a slider and curveball, spinning everything well, and lacking a real changeup while showing decent control but below-average command.—
Keith Law,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Post has always been accused of ‘misinformation’ by spinning politicians, but from Hunter Biden, BLM and Covid to Biden’s failing health, it has been consistently proven right.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Families come to take advantage of the multiple pools, especially the kid-centric Sonoran Splash pool with twisting water slides, and plenty of guests are here simply for the luxe spa, one of the most impressive in the region.—
Lizbeth Scordo,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Restoring mid-back rotation reduces strain on the lower back, which is built for stability, not twisting.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
By visiting a president who has used his power to harm the most vulnerable, the team would be turning its back on the very people who fill the stadiums, wear the jerseys, and give this team its heart.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In connection with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, the company created an audio-animatronic of the company’s founder, turning it into an attraction for visitors to see.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Further complicating efforts to ensure a fair trial is the rhetoric swirling around Kirk’s death because of his political prominence.—
Matthew Brown,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Amid swirling trade rumors, Antetokounmpo reiterated in two new interviews that his ideal scenario is to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks and to compete for championships with the team that drafted him 13 years ago.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Patterns emerged in the observations, captured both close to the star and further away from it, that suggested a companion star was whirling through Betelgeuse’s extended atmosphere.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
20 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
