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
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
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
The thickness of the oil layer can also affect the whirl’s efficiency.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 27 Feb. 2026
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Comedians do dirty late-night acts for adults; aerialists whirl here and there.
—Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Noun
So protesting its bellicose whirl / Is hardly dishonoring him / When Israel’s onslaught is grim.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026
The thickness of the oil layer can also affect the whirl’s efficiency.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
They got engaged, and later married during the set, surrounded by the artist and whirling revelers.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Comedians do dirty late-night acts for adults; aerialists whirl here and there.
—Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
Noun
-
Los Angeles also has two former MVP's in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman and one of the most lethal starting rotations in the league.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Smith had been a fixture in the Heat’s bench rotation, playing in 67 of the Heat’s first 71 games.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If any paperwork is involved, prepare it beforehand to skip mid-discussion confusion.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Mar. 2026
-
However, cage announcer Bruce Buffer caused confusion by reading the scores incorrectly, announcing totals that favored Fortune’s opponent.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Add sugar and stir until sugar has completely dissolved.—
C.W. Cameron,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Punch took the world by storm after images of him dragging the orange plushy behind him circulated on social media, causing such a stir that the zoo has since made special rules to accommodate the influx of visitors.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sinner broke him in his second try, in the third game of the match.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As psilocybin has become more available, more people are giving retreats like these a try.—
Natalia V. Osipova,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl about the DOJ’s future.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In a 2015 email, when Mead Johnson was considering supplying some of its formula to a researcher for a study, a company neonatologist expressed concern that the results could be spun to make the preemie product look unsafe.—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Others dabble in meme coins — crypto assets that are quickly spun up and traded around memes and cultural moments.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
How to rotate your mattress Can’t flip your mattress?—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Participants will rotate through Inter Miami Academy-style training stations led by Academy coaches.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Jeep driver slammed on the breaks and reversed, crashing into the front of Acosta’s patrol car and sped off, leaving the gate pieces on the road.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Beyond fuel concerns, speeding also is a safety risk.—
Matthew Daly,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
