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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The latter event allowed the children of military families, first responders and educators to lace on skates for a whirl. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 June 2026 Women whirl in a slow circle as the music drifts up toward the Milky Way. — Shilo Urban, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Verb
For much of the past week, all that Colombia had been able to agree upon was the pre-eminence of Luis Diaz, who remained a whirling dervish throughout the match as his side’s outstanding player. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026 That’s the question that has been whirling around Hollywood since the news broke that Amazon MGM Studios was dropping the feature just months after Amazon entered into a $50 billion investment with Sam Altman’s OpenAI. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 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
  • Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are aging out of the cover rotation and EA needs the next face locked down.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • The Sox are trying to manage the workload for both guys, who still figure into the team’s long-term rotation plans.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of rotation
Noun
  • The Cook County Department of Public Health is working to counteract vaccine misinformation, myths and confusion regarding vaccines as part of its efforts to increase vaccination rates.
    — Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • There’s been a lot of excitement, and a lot of questions, and a lot of confusion.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • The Academy caused quite a stir by deciding to cut five categories from this year’s primetime Emmy telecast.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
  • Also new are the property’s five food and beverage outlets, offering drinks and eats that range from a craft beer taproom and ice cream shop to gourmet tacos, Asian stir fry and Costa Rican cuisine.
    — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • In 1999, the BOJ became the first central bank in the Group of Seven nation to give zero a try.
    — William Pesek, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Don’t just take our word for it that this dish is worth a try.
    — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • The tissue is solid wood and will have intricate, swirling grain patterns.
    — Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
  • For months, mystery swirled around a 37-year-old Carlsbad woman found dead in the backcountry of Big Sur with a cut on her forehead and markings around her neck.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of swirl
Verb
  • Rather than a concert, Benton envisioned the evening as a community dance party featuring four veteran Kansas City DJs spinning classic funk, R&B and early hip-hop.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • Hurricanes are predicted to grow stronger and spin up faster, too, having a more damaging effect.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Guests can spend the day at one of three oceanfront pools, unwind on the hotel’s private stretch of beach, or join the rotating lineup of activities, from live music and fitness classes to astrology nights, so there’s always something happening.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 25 July 2026
  • Part of that strategy involves rotating certain players between Triple A and the majors with the understanding that their roles will be limited.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • The bulk of the original tale — Lara’s encounter with her sea witch aunt Grace, her emergence into the world of humans, her romance with a dashing prince — is sped through in the show’s first 15 minutes.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
  • The American Hiking Society emphasizes that a simple plan left with a friend can dramatically speed up rescue response if something goes wrong.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
Definition of speed

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Cite this Entry

“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of whirl for Spanish Speakers

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