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

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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 commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity lost an earring in the whirl of the party

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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 systems also can spin up whirling columns of flame — usually a fire whirl, which Giannaros describes as a dust devil made of fire and heat instead of dust. — Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Give buttery cannellini beans, bright lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs—parsley, basil, and chives—a quick whirl in the blender until smooth. — Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026
Verb
Twenty-four hours later, my brain is still whirling over yesterday’s stunning news from Merck and Moderna about the success of their personalized mRNA cancer therapy in a melanoma late-stage clinical trial. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026 In a long warehouse in Kandahar’s Zhari district, fans whirl overhead, stirring the hot summer air around bunches of plump, green grapes draped over sticks set up in rows to dry. — Abdul Qahar Afghan, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
  1. rotation
  2. confusion
  3. commotion
  4. try
  5. stir
  6. spin
  7. rotate
  8. speed
Noun
  • The mechanical trick Draco uses to solve field rotation, the slow twisting of the sky's image that causes those star trails, is almost backward.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Smith-Shawver, currently part of the Braves’ six-man rotation, did not strengthen his case to be part of the team’s postseason starting pitching plans.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of rotation
Noun
  • The third round of Premier League matches brought yet more controversy, including an unpunished kick to the head in a London derby and confusion around a goal disallowed for handball.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In a work so dense with references, mistakes will sprout like crabgrass; write a big book on André Le Nôtre’s formal gardens and the earthworm experts will gather to deride your confusion.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of confusion
Noun
  • All of that pregame commotion set the stage for what came next.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • For Schott, an Aggie who briefly played Banana Ball during a try-out for the league, the game bridged a gap between two worlds.
    — Ian Curtis, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That Kent is ready to give painting another try, and that is a breakthrough of its own, Kathy Winchell said.
    — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of try
Verb
  • Gizelle, who has been stirring the pot and playing producer for everyone on the trip, keeps up her conniving ways by sitting down all the RHOP ladies except for Candiace during their Potomac retrospective moment at the party.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The Moon enters adventurous Leo, stirring your interest in travel, education, or an idea that could expand your options.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Marie has been reduced to a low-pressure system that is still spinning offshore and sending a deep tropical air mass to the Southern California region, said climate scientist Daniel Swain.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • DJs spun Wasian musicians, including Rodrigo, Mitski, and Japanese Breakfast.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • The company’s experts realized that, if the tapestry could not be rotated and stored, perhaps it could be stored and then rotated.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Bar Blondeau holds Sunday Sessions, a weekly wine and music party featuring a rotating slate of local musical talent and guest sommeliers.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of rotate
Verb
  • Speaking at a joint news conference, Fujimori said Peru's participation in the coalition would speed intelligence-sharing and bolster joint action against criminal groups operating across borders.
    — Marco Aquino, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • AIs are already being used to answer decades-long unsolved complex mathematical problems, and have assisted scientists in speeding up scientific discovery and even designing new viruses.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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