whirl 1 of 2

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
3
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?

Synonyms & Similar Words

whirl

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
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

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
Noun
Perez battled back with a tilt-a-whirl, but Iyo did a front flip out of the move and landed on her feet to a standing ovation. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Shortly after Hobart’s event began, attendees could hear the whirl of a police helicopter landing in a field across from the orchard. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
Back on electric guitar, Beck spun a whirling dervish in front of Outwater, spitting in rapid fire fashion later. Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025 After a Joey Estes fastball came near his head, Robles whirled around and chucked his bat at the pitcher. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
Noun
  • The Dodgers won last year with a rotation that was thoroughly depleted.
    Chad Jennings, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Several injured players are making their returns to the roster, Mookie Betts is looking like his old self again and the starting rotation has been healthy and effective.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, there has been confusion over how many shots were fired when Finicum was killed and who fired them.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • But that means there’s even more opportunity for confusion.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Florida’s Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, created a stir this week suggesting the state eliminate all school vaccine requirements.
    Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • When season 1 premiered, Noah and Joanne’s first kiss caused quite the stir.
    EW.com, EW.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • How To Play Wordle Wordle is a daily word puzzle game where your goal is to guess a hidden five-letter word in six tries or fewer.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Lancers trailed 24-0 at halftime and rallied in the second half before being turned away on a fourth down try at the Basha 14-yard line with 17 seconds left in the game.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill is already being swirled around in trade rumors.
    Drew VonScio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Waterspouts are spinning columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • While most broths are perfectly serviceable for rounding out the flavors of a soup or giving a brothy head start to a braise, Epic provides the kind of gelatine-rich base that is worthy of spinning up into a ramen broth for weeknight noodle duty.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Over the years, the series has also seen a rotating roster of hosts, including current faces Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown, rotating pans about halfway through.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Anduril highlights that the architecture also speeds software updates.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The worst issue is that The Portal, with changes meant to speed up progression, allegedly, launched giving everyone less powerful drops, making the new power climb ridiculous.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on whirl

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!