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
This polka-dot midi skirt is full of flirty details, from its curve-hugging silhouette to its flowy hem that’s made for twirling.
—
Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Yalkin’s images give form to memory, transporting us into a twirling state of contemplation.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
To stack the deck further, and to spur their champion into action, the writers throw in a sinister trio of private-equity investors who might as well arrive twirling their mustaches.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Those concrete ramps, red girders and twirling towers.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
American rapper and producer Snoop Dogg received a guard of honor and was greeted with twirling white towels on Tuesday on his first visit to Swansea City since becoming an investor with the Welsh side last year.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance.
—Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Katherine Barkman was a highlight as the first regiment’s baton-twirling majorette; surely Balanchine himself would have delighted in her playful musicality.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2026
Venus, planet of connection, is twirling into your sociable 11th house, enhancing group ties and reminding your independent heart to welcome supportive networks.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026
Yalkin’s images give form to memory, transporting us into a twirling state of contemplation.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 31 Mar. 2026
To stack the deck further, and to spur their champion into action, the writers throw in a sinister trio of private-equity investors who might as well arrive twirling their mustaches.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Those concrete ramps, red girders and twirling towers.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
American rapper and producer Snoop Dogg received a guard of honor and was greeted with twirling white towels on Tuesday on his first visit to Swansea City since becoming an investor with the Welsh side last year.
—Reuters, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026
The showing marked a sharp contrast from the 2025 Gala, which had featured less advanced versions of the robots twirling handkerchiefs in a wobbly folk dance.
—Dylan Butts,matthew Chin, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
Katherine Barkman was a highlight as the first regiment’s baton-twirling majorette; surely Balanchine himself would have delighted in her playful musicality.
—Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2026
Venus, planet of connection, is twirling into your sociable 11th house, enhancing group ties and reminding your independent heart to welcome supportive networks.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirling
Verb
-
Beverage director Jax Donahue divides the cocktail menu between classics and two rotating destinations (recently from San Francisco to Mexico City).—
Chris Malloy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Today show has had a rotating group of hosts in the past few months, due to Guthrie’s absence.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The backdrop is a revolving spectacular set, such as cherry trees showering pink paper petals.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
But now, instead of playing six notes, create this similar kind of a revolving pattern.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to not being able to slow down, some drivers found their vehicles spinning down the icy interstate.—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The July 2025 crash sent both cars spinning into a third vehicle, injuring that driver and Carcamo-Meza’s passenger, police said.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The uncanniness of twisting the paraphernalia of daily life into something unfamiliar or strange satisfied the Surrealist desire to subvert convention and tap into the unconscious.—
Eliza Goodpasture,
ARTnews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Tehran has made quite a penny charging tolls on the Strait, and twisting the knife by demanding payment in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan, according to the FT.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Your 12th House of Silence hosts ambitious Mars, who’s cheering on Pluto in your 10th House of Audiences, turning private prep into public credibility without draining you.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But the team wasted no time turning a new leaf.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are already rumors swirling from Europe that former Barcelona legend and coach Xavi could be considered to replace Mascherano.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Rumors about the product have been swirling since last year, and the latest scoop says the company may be testing four different designs for the wearable.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the surface, at least, all of that would seem to make Karaban entirely ill-suited for Hurley – the orderly, math nerd introvert versus the whirling dervish extrovert.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The whirling metal blades dominate the front yard with more frenzy movements than a four-year-old rushing to the bathroom.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Twirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirling. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
