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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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
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 Back on electric guitar, Beck spun a whirling dervish in front of Outwater, spitting in rapid fire fashion later. Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
  • The long drive back to Yolo County late Saturday evening wasn’t such a bore for the UC Davis football coach, his giddy group of Aggies and suddenly weary and sleep-ready sons.
    Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Brewers are giddy with the chance to show up the manager who left them for more money and supposedly a better team in Chicago.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The debuts of an unprecedented number of designers at brands from Dior to Chanel and Versace have been swirling around Michele and the house of Valentino is now being led by a new chief executive officer, Riccardo Bellini, who succeeded Jacopo Venturini in August.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Stretching to the pointed edge of the property is a 62-foot-long rectangular infinity pool adorned with mosaic tiles in swirling shapes that mimic the greenish glow of bioluminescence.
    Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 3 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
  • Every menu for game day will be different Carlisle brings a decade of experience to The Reserve and promises an eclectic menu featuring rotating seasonal and regional dishes throughout the Bucks season.
    La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In addition to its variety of rotating flavors, Baskin-Robbins features a new flavor each month, and this one will only be in orbit through the end of October.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In offseason videos, though, he’s been flying through the air and flushing down ferocious dunks, so the athleticism looks to be back.
    Stan Son, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In one common attack, known as GPS spoofing, hackers transmit false location data that tricks a drone into flying off course.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Legend has it that spinning three times with your right heel on the testicles of the bull in its center will bring you good luck.
    Laura Itzkowitz, AFAR Media, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Tropical Storm Octave is spinning over the tropical eastern Pacific, according to the NHC.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Traditionally, Sean Payton’s teams deploy a revolving personnel carousel that can leave opposing defensive coordinators dizzy.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Ten percent impairs performance and leaves you dizzy and faint.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Cook, stirring often, until apples are slightly softened, about 8 minutes.
    Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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