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
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Recent Examples of whirl
Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Stern writes with a manic whirl of comic images and sentences and ideas that are disturbing and hilarious and sometimes grim, all of the madness carefully, delicately constructed.
—Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
The heady Moon whirls into your 6th House of Effort, highlighting habits that support productivity.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Noun
The nation is giving their food processors and salad spinners another whirl.
—Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
Stern writes with a manic whirl of comic images and sentences and ideas that are disturbing and hilarious and sometimes grim, all of the madness carefully, delicately constructed.
—Cathleen Schine, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 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 heady Moon whirls into your 6th House of Effort, highlighting habits that support productivity.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
Noun
-
No starting pitcher on the Astros’ roster is making more money than Imai, who is supposed to announce this franchise’s arrival in the Pacific Rim, while slotting somewhere in the middle of its starting rotation.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
At fine-dining Le Grand Large, a rotation of visiting chefs knock up Provencal dishes like red snapper and Bouillabaisse.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
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So there’s little doubt that the emergence of jumbo-size Messi’s across America’s lawns create more intrigue than confusion, even in a nation where soccer as a whole remains a second-tier sport.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Among them was a Washington think tank that caused a stir recently with a paper that proposed capping annual Social Security benefits at $100,000 to shore up the retirement trust fund.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
After Bo Nix’s follow-up ankle procedure caused quite the stir in recent weeks, Payton said Nix could still end up throwing in minicamp later in June.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Check out our team’s Abercrombie spring try-on to get more shopping cart inspo for Memorial Day Weekend 2026.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
14 May 2026
-
Bloomfield came in for an audition and nailed it on the first try.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Day-trippers can swirl a glass of peppery Carménère at a Spanish-colonial Maipo Valley winery, soak in milky-green hot springs at Colina Valley, or hike to the Condor Lookout to photograph the largest raptors on earth.—
Mark Johanson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 May 2026
-
The Paloma Sherbet is grapefruit and reposado tequila swirled with chili lime curd.—
Ella Gonzales
May 15,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Riley had achieved the effect by using an elaborate pinwheel mechanism that spun mannequin legs at lightning speed.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
The fan that sucks in combustion air and blows out exhaust gases stopped spinning.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Unlike permanent night workers, who can begin to partially adapt over two to four weeks, rotating workers never fully adjust.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2026
-
The show, which began in 2006, features a rotating series of comedians performing their material in a panel format.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Both Amazon and Walmart are expanding their use of delivery drones to speed up shipments from stores or order fulfillment centers.—
Anne D'Innocenzio,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
The United Arab Emirates is speeding up the completion of a new pipeline that will allow the Gulf federation to export more oil without routing it through the Strait of Hormuz.—
Sheikh Saaliq,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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