whirling 1 of 2

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

whirling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of whirl
1
as in swirling
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 twirling
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
4
5
as in spinning
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 whirling
Verb
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 Here, the tarantella is by turns gleeful and demonic — a frantic dance of the doomed, whirling through a mist of contemporary clangor. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025 But then Freeland induced Logan O' Hoppe to hit a grounder to shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, but Tovar's throw to second was low, forcing Ritter to make a difficult catch at the bag and make a whirling throw to first. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 The Helix has taken more than 1,000 piloted flights this year, and its maker has trained 200 people to fly this unique aircraft with eight electrified rotors whirling on a pair of detachable wings. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Sep. 2025 There will be a huge tornado in whirling fabric and a room dedicated to Oz. Laura Bannister, Curbed, 5 Sep. 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, 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 Astronomers using the powerful eye of the James Webb Space Telescope have spotted a previously unknown moon whirling around Uranus, according to NASA. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
  • The crash’s giddy prequel, dramatic unfolding, and shattering aftermath—the Great Depression—has long provided compelling material for writers.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • That has Plattner in a giddy mood.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There is already so much disinformation swirling about voting systems and their security.
    Bente Birkeland, NPR, 18 Oct. 2025
  • These two names have been swirling in speculation about Cena's final matches.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Other photos show just mom and her daughter twirling together alone.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Sprinklers were twirling on little patches of lawn.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As de rigueur with the rotating doors in the C-suite of a new merger, Paramount Global and Marketing Distribution Boss Marc Weinstock and Domestic Distribution President Chris Aronson are departing.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • According to a report from Clarify Capital, six-figure earners are flying economy, turning to discount grocery chains to hunt for better deals, getting thrifty with buying clothes, and scaling back on subscriptions.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Flights between the two cities are primarily used for connections for passengers flying to and from Tucson.
    Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Vertigo takes passengers several feet high in the air, spinning riders on swings at the top.
    Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Turns out his co-workers were more focused on crunching numbers than spinning tracks.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Symptoms can include vomiting more than three times a day, feeling constantly dizzy and lightheaded and losing weight.
    Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Traditionally, Sean Payton’s teams deploy a revolving personnel carousel that can leave opposing defensive coordinators dizzy.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Wrapped in a towel, barely stirring, but slightly breathing, was a newborn baby girl buried beneath a foot of earth.
    Aishwarya S. Iyer, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Uncover and cook on medium-high until sauce is thickened and glazy, stirring occasionally, 5 to 6 minutes.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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