whirl 1 of 2

noun

Definition of whirlnext
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

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2
as in confusion
a state of mental uncertainty so many changes at once had her all in a whirl

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stir
a state of noisy, confused activity lost an earring in the whirl of the party

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4
as in try
an effort to do or accomplish something I'm pretty good at fixing things, so how about if I give it a whirl?

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whirl

2 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l How to pronounce whirl (audio)
1
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly whirled the chocolate syrup into the milk with a spoon

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2
as in to spin
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis the figure skater whirled his partner with effortless grace

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3
as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center the gambler held his breath as the roulette wheel whirled

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4
as in to speed
to proceed or move quickly cars whirling by on the highway

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to swim
to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around my mind whirled from all of the excitement

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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
Noun
Florida has a new niche industry to help those who can afford it get out of dodge before a hurricane whirls ashore. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026 Elsewhere in the park, there’s kayaking and fishing in the lake, biking trails and a possible whirl through the century-old American Swedish Historical Museum, which in winter hosts the outdoor Ebba Sparre Sauna pop-up. — Regan Stephens, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
The Argentina fans roused themselves, whirling their shirts above their heads. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 There are shirts being whirled all around me as disbelieving fans soak in the celebrations with their squad. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
  1. rotation
  2. confusion
  3. stir
  4. try
  5. swirl
  6. spin
  7. rotate
  8. speed
Noun
  • The Astros’ rotation is in such a state that ruling anyone out as a candidate to start games seems silly, but their actions indicate Imai is something of a last resort.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The 25-year-old Whisenhunt isn’t capitalizing on his opportunity to earn staying power in San Francisco’s rotation.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotation
Noun
  • The new on-pitch laws… There was confusion at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium in the first round of the Carabao Cup, when substitute Fin Cartwright was held back from entering the pitch straight away.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The confusion is that Italian etiquette is not the same as Italian-American etiquette, where the continuing use of the spoon is not uncommon.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • Here, the cars that caused the most stir with their standout auction results.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The centers, used as high-program computing hubs as the use of artificial intelligence increases, are popping up across the nation and causing a stir.
    — Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • Five days earlier, in the preseason opener at Highmark Stadium, a 45-yard try veered too far right.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike tools that only handle virtual try-ons, customer service automation or package tracking in isolation, Remark does it all and takes clienteling to a new level.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • Yet fighting for the spotlight could be the least of their problems, as questions swirled over how the Sussexes would actually pull off life in Britain.
    — Lauryn Overhultz , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The What podcast, shared an update with fans amid swirling rumors that the beloved fest had been canceled.
    — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of swirl
Verb
  • That was a move partly instigated to develop a new crop of fast bowlers, but a home series defeat to Bangladesh two years ago and the loss of the first Test to England in October 2024 prompted the PCB to switch to spin-friendly tracks.
    — Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • His approach, and the propaganda machine that has spun it as a law-and-order success story, has turned Bukele into an international figure, and cast leaders like Petro and Cepeda, who helped design Petro’s strategy, as soft on crime.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Behind him sits one of the youngest jurors, attending the trial with lip studs and a rotating assortment of rock band T-shirts.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Both Leonard and head coach Klint Kubiak have expressed that the plan is to rotate players around, but honestly, this defense is tailor-made for Maxx Crosby to have an outstanding year.
    — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Saltwater speeds up rust and wear, plants need regular care, docks face storms and tides, and equipment like generators, solar panels, and desalination systems will eventually need replacing.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Cubing the butter speeds things up by increasing surface area.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of speed

Browse Nearby Words

whir
whirl
whirled
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Cite this Entry

“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of whirl for Spanish Speakers

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