as in giddy
having a feeling of being whirled about and in danger of falling down
still whirling from the amusement park ride, I needed to sit down
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in rotating
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in revolving
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 flying
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
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Recent Examples of whirling
Alex Ronan, Architectural Digest, 1 Jan. 2026
Dru Smith remains a whirling dervish on defense, delivering three more steals.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
These men, these whirling arms, are framing what’s to come, feeding the presses, day after day, pounding stories into brains.
—Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
It's got a microphone, and a few years ago scientists reported hearing the sounds of a whirling dust devil passing over the rover.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
There is no end in sight to the whirling growth of homeowners insurance costs, with premiums expected to increase by 8 percent in 2026 and another 8 percent in 2027, according to estimates shared by John Rogers, chief data and analytics officer at real estate analytics firm Cotality.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
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, 6 Nov. 2025
All that was whirling around my head one night when Mark Tamburino started playing this guitar part.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Perhaps more than any other individual in the whirling sphere of fashion, Margareta van den Bosch catapulted high-low dressing.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Though lazy Susans are better known for their utility on the table, consider getting one for more flexibility and succinct storage space within corner cabinets for whirling out pots and pans.
—Alex Ronan, Architectural Digest, 1 Jan. 2026
Dru Smith remains a whirling dervish on defense, delivering three more steals.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025
These men, these whirling arms, are framing what’s to come, feeding the presses, day after day, pounding stories into brains.
—Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025
It's got a microphone, and a few years ago scientists reported hearing the sounds of a whirling dust devil passing over the rover.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 26 Nov. 2025
There is no end in sight to the whirling growth of homeowners insurance costs, with premiums expected to increase by 8 percent in 2026 and another 8 percent in 2027, according to estimates shared by John Rogers, chief data and analytics officer at real estate analytics firm Cotality.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
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, 6 Nov. 2025
All that was whirling around my head one night when Mark Tamburino started playing this guitar part.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Perhaps more than any other individual in the whirling sphere of fashion, Margareta van den Bosch catapulted high-low dressing.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
-
Parrish, giddy with excitement, led us into the water.—
Henry Wismayer,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
There would be no third consecutive title, no hoisting of the championship cup over heads, no giddy laughter or shouts of joy.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The clouds have been swirling around Andrews for much of the season.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Here, sea level rise is accelerating at some of the most extreme rates on Earth, while hurricanes increasingly are swirling ashore with an unprecedented ferociousness.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Live music adds to the evening energy, particularly on weekends, with rotating performers across Paralía, Luma, the lobby, and the Rum Bar.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Every Monday night, Bica hosts an industry night with rotating guest chefs.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Shinjuku Station revolving sushi bar will set up shop in the Grande Promenade shopping center in University City, per the restaurant’s website, though an official opening date wasn’t announced.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the Buffs’ door keeps revolving.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hall was in net when Boston's Bobby Orr scored in overtime to win the Cup for the Bruins in 1970, a goal that's among the most famous in hockey history because of the flying through the air celebration that followed.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
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While some travelers praise the trend for reducing stress and avoiding baggage fees, others say flying without bags is unrealistic for longer trips or work travel.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The next morning, Helen sits at the kitchen table, pinching one of the seed pods that Thiago gave her between her thumb and forefinger and spinning it like a top.—
Sadia Shepard,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
-
One way to understand the head-spinning nature of being an American over the past couple of decades is that this debate—one that history seemed to have settled in Locke’s favor—is alive again.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Living authors of books investigating the day of rest, a small but select sodality, are probably feeling dizzy right now.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Signs of dehydration, including dry mouth and throat, infrequent urination and feeling dizzy when standing up.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.—
Amanda Stanfield,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Wider horizons beckon as the emotional Moon lights up your 9th House of Adventure, stirring a desire to broaden your view through meaningful study and conversation.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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