1
as in rotation
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point
the whirl of the mechanical ride made him dizzy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty
so many changes at once had her all in a whirl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stir
a state of noisy, confused activity
lost an earring in the whirl of the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center
the gambler held his breath as the roulette wheel whirled
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to speed
to proceed or move quickly
cars whirling by on the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 whirl
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
The nation is giving their food processors and salad spinners another whirl.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
Before Kate could respond, Emily whirled around and disappeared inside the house.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Noun
No one can do it like Tim Curry, but maybe Tituss Burgess could give it a whirl?
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
The nation is giving their food processors and salad spinners another whirl.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
The video then cuts to two Apache helicopters whirling up.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
Before Kate could respond, Emily whirled around and disappeared inside the house.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
Noun
-
The lefty the brass swore was the bedrock of the future rotation.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
2 June 2026
-
The Highwomen may not have persuaded radio programmers to add their songs into rotation, but their mission has permeated deeply.—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Last year, Kennedy’s ACIP didn’t issue a guidance on COVID vaccines until September, then softened the recommendations for their use, sowing confusion as pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and patients tried to figure out who was eligible for the shots and whether insurers would pay.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
Lost in the Brazilian tears, anguish and confusion was just how clinical the Germans had been.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Noun
-
Even at the neighboring sports bar, the Douglas, her food has caused a stir, enticing people between innings to visit Leo Market.—
Maddie Connors,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Agnes and Sherman Open for just a little over a year on buzzy 19th street in the Heights, Agnes and Sherman has quickly caused a stir on the Houston food scene.—
Melissa Liebling-goldberg,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Through three tedious roll calls, Roosevelt forces bartered with delegations and finally put their man over the top on the fourth try when House Speaker John Nance Garner folded his candidacy in exchange for the vice presidential nomination.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
-
Give this a try and then graduate to your favorite cuts of steak!—
Laura Manzano,
Martha Stewart,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
All of this comes after speculation about what prenup Swift and her soon-to-be-husband, Travis Kelce, could sign has started swirling.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
28 May 2026
-
Despite rumors swirling since last week that the actor would not return for a third season, sources confirmed discussions are underway to find a way for Hardy (who plays gangster Harry Da Souza in the Paramount+ show) to come back.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Often mixed in to the beat are noisemakers like matracas – wooden objects in the shape of flags that produce a loud clacking sound when spun – and plastic horns called cornetas, which fans use to keep the matches animated from start to finish.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
This is Linda Clover, volunteer, curator, and caretaker of the 46-foot-wide creation, who’s met thousands of tourists from all over the world at the ball eager to spin some twine and a story.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Like any other rotating 2-in-1, the Swift Spin has a 360-degree hinge that allows the laptop to rotate among clamshell mode, an A-frame mode, a screen-out/keyboard-down presentation mode, or tablet mode.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
-
Weekly prayer calls, rotating visits from family and friends, and a medical team at Mayo Clinic in Arizona that went above and beyond carried her through.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Hilton has demanded Governor Newsom create an emergency corps to speed up ballot counting, a request Newsom's office dismissed.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
-
Ramsay speeds through many of the action shots to instead focus on Joe’s psyche.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
