whirling 1 of 2

Definition of whirlingnext
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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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

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 whirling
Adjective
The magnetar was initially surrounded by a whirling disk of matter, funneling from its inner edge onto the stellar remnant. Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Firefighters witnessed a rare ‘ash devil’ while battling the Trinity fire in San Bernardino County — a whirling column of hot ash and embers created when rising heat meets shifting winds. Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026 The video then cuts to two Apache helicopters whirling up. Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026 Festivities typically include parades, street food, block parties, mariachi competitions, and baile folklórico, or folkloric ballet, with whirling dancers wearing bright, ruffled dresses and their hair tied with shiny ribbons. Todd Feurer, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026 On the surface, at least, all of that would seem to make Karaban entirely ill-suited for Hurley – the orderly, math nerd introvert versus the whirling dervish extrovert. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026 The whirling metal blades dominate the front yard with more frenzy movements than a four-year-old rushing to the bathroom. Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026 They got engaged, and later married during the set, surrounded by the artist and whirling revelers. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 Lensky, danced by Wei Wang, steals your heart while whirling through impossible pirouette sequences. Rachel Howard, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Jan. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
  • Just like the boys, Nana was as giddy to feed the donkeys grass pellets that sold for a dollar a bag.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 17 May 2026
  • Not as giddy While semis have gone vertical, the headline indexes have not gone nearly as far or as fast as in the '99 crescendo.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Either way, the no-show by Hurts, or any current Eagles players for that matter, simply adds to the mysterious status of Brown and the franchise as rumors have been swirling all offseason.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
  • Rumors are swirling that Pep Guardiola could be leaving Manchester City.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • The third-year students spent nearly a year developing and refining the engine, which runs through continuous rotating explosions in a circular chamber.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
  • The worst of the severe weather is expected west and northwest of the Kansas City metro, where supercells (large, rotating thunderstorms) capable of producing hail and strong to intense tornadoes are most likely from central Kansas and southeast Nebraska into Iowa and northwest Missouri.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • Longtime residents might remember the hot dogs and burgers making their way past eager students on field trips at the National Museum of American History’s revolving Carousel Cafeteria, or the large, greenhouse-like McDonald’s inside the Air and Space Museum.
    Fritz Hahn, Washington Post, 15 May 2026
  • So, for borrowers carrying revolving balances, that means the high cost of credit card debt isn't going anywhere either.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • These include serving as a flying test bed for in orbit manufacturing of alloys, composite materials, and fibers as well as research and production of space medicine.
    Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 18 May 2026
  • Bystanders, including young children, were forced to corner themselves inside the restaurant to avoid being struck by the flying chairs.
    Mike Stunson, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • After decades of mathematicians spinning their wheels, the problem suddenly seemed tractable.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
  • Some come out the other side of illness, but most loop through an unpredictable whirlpool, at times within sight of shore, at other moments spinning back out to sea.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Some adolescents may appear dizzy, disoriented or unusually fatigued.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
  • In another clip, the deer continues to prance around the meadow, once again spinning in circles and once again appearing to grow dizzy.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Return to a boil, gently stirring the gnocchi to prevent sticking.
    Kate Williams, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
  • Set aside at room temperature, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and mixture is syrupy, about 30 minutes.
    Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 18 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on whirling

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster