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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
  1. rotating
  2. revolving
  3. spinning
  4. twisting
  5. turning
  6. swirling
  7. whirling
Verb
  • Smith has experimented with several rotating analysts through the years; at least three of them (Keyshawn Johnson, Smith and Shannon Sharpe) were let go.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • Rather, currency will be extracted that can be used either to upgrade Vault Breaker kits or abilities, or it can be used to purchase rotating store items that can be used in any mode, including the normal extraction modes.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of rotating
Verb
  • Faithful gather to sing hymns and sip Bloody Marys, and a revolving cast of chaplains, including one who once served at the University of Texas chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, lead services.
    — Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026
  • Charlotte’s newest revolving sushi bar is poised to open later this week.
    — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026
Definition of revolving
Verb
  • What 'Managing' Executive Reputation Actually Means Managing your reputation as an executive doesn't mean spinning a narrative.
    — Darius Fisher, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • For the four-year period between 2023 and 2026, culminating in a money-spinning World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA projected $13billion in revenues (subsequently updating its projections to $15bn).
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of spinning
Verb
  • The government is twisting a 60-year-old deal to take control of my land.
    — Cody Peterson, Washington Post, 29 July 2026
  • As Smith read Colt’s writings, the teenager remained expressionless, sometimes gently rocking and twisting in his chair.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of twisting
Verb
  • Write the honest sentence, take the quiet walk, and tell the truth without decorating it for comfort or turning it into a joke today.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026
  • If a state takes a position contrary to Beijing’s interests, China can tighten the screws on it by withholding spare parts, software updates, and technicians, turning a commercial partnership into a tool of leverage.
    — Natalia Cote-Muñoz, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of turning
Verb
  • Following that will not be straightforward and, in the short-term, Howe’s departure will do little to calm the angst which has been swirling around the club in recent weeks.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Way back in the spring of 2024, rumors began swirling that BMW was working on what would effectively be its equivalent of the G-Wagen or the Land Rover Range Rover.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026
Definition of swirling
Verb
  • The systems also can spin up whirling columns of flame — usually a fire whirl, which Giannaros describes as a dust devil made of fire and heat instead of dust.
    — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026
  • The Argentina fans roused themselves, whirling their shirts above their heads.
    — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of whirling

Browse Nearby Words

twirled
twirling
twirls
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on twirling

Nglish: Translation of twirling for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All