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
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Still, with few true power bats heading to the open market, Alonso is likely to decline his $24 million option and give free agency another whirl.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
On and on the section goes, a whirling fifty-page stretch of disorientation and disintegration.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Noun
But by embroidering the drama of an American navigating Paris Fashion Week with stories of other women caught in the whirl, Winocour dilutes them all.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Still, with few true power bats heading to the open market, Alonso is likely to decline his $24 million option and give free agency another whirl.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
Waterspouts are whirling 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, 4 Sep. 2025
On and on the section goes, a whirling fifty-page stretch of disorientation and disintegration.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
Noun
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Noir is a quaint coffee shop where white walls are a canvas for paintings by a rotation of local artists.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jovic’s challenge this season is staying healthy and carving out a consistent role in the Heat’s rotation after beginning last season as a starter, then being completely moved out of the rotation, and ultimately thriving in a sixth man role off the bench during the back half of the season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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First, your confusion is kind of the point ‒ today's slang is part of an ever-changing lexicon that separates the young from the young-at-heart.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
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The Department of Homeland Security has detained hundreds of TPS holders from Venezuela nationwide, creating confusion about how the protections are being applied.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Along with each political plot twist in the paddock, technological advancements cause quite a stir.—
Alex Kalinauckas,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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That calmness, however, was soon overtaken by the kitchen, with the hiss of the pans, stir of the pots and sharp calls exchanged between cooks quickly filling the air, along with the sounds of an upbeat Peruvian song playing in the background.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Pathak said this floor also houses UHealth’s largest cancer support care and survivorship resource center, which offers cancer patients a variety of services, including acupuncture, massage, wig try-ons and psychology services.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
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Even if Young made a good throw, McMillan would have been short of the first-down marker and Fitzgerald would have been left with about a 53-yard try.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two massive tropical systems swirling off the Southeast coast are a stark reminder that the potential government shutdown looms during the middle of the Atlantic hurricane season.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
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Rumors had been swirling over the past few weeks that Adele and Taylor Swift both passed on performing during next year’s game.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In 1921 Japanese meteorologist Sakuhei Fujiwhara theorized that two vortices spinning through fluid (which is exactly what tropical cyclones are) could come close enough to each other to begin orbiting a common central point.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
29 Sep. 2025
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The wideout caught a Colts QB Daniel Jones throw for what would have been a sensational 76-yard touchdown in the third quarter, spinning away from two tacklers.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Otherwise, there’s no reason for Banks to be rotating with Cor’Dale Flott, who has been the better player at every stage of this position battle.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Guests can enjoy amenities such as a heated pool, hot tub, sauna, rotating art exhibitions, and landscaped courtyards with firepits and hammocks.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Sogard sliced a base hit to center and took advantage of Judge’s arm, speeding to second on what should have been a single.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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With more than 100 products, each with domain specific-functionality, Hron sees many more opportunities to plug in agentic AI to speed up work for legal and tax professionals.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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