whirl 1 of 2

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

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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?

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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

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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
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

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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
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
Before Kate could respond, Emily whirled around and disappeared inside the house. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026 Festivities typically include parades, street food, block parties, mariachi competitions, and baile folklórico, or folkloric ballet, with whirling dancers wearing bright, ruffled dresses and their hair tied with shiny ribbons. Todd Feurer, CBS News, 20 Apr. 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
  • The vast range of difficulty and rigor in academic assessment adds confusion for both learners and employers.
    Bryan Penprase, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • The Holii Travel Pill Organizer is compact enough to fit in a car compartment or backpack, and securely separates daily doses of medications in order to avoid any confusion on busy travel days.
    Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 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
  • Harel cleared it on his first try while Woodson failed on his three attempts to ensure a second straight state title for Harel, who won with a height of 6-9 last year.
    Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
  • When Brazil won its third world championship in four tries in 1970, the great defender Carlos Alberto captained the team, and not the legendary Pele.
    Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 31 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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