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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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 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

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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
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
The systems also can spin up whirling columns of flame — usually a fire whirl, which Giannaros describes as a dust devil made of fire and heat instead of dust. Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 The Argentina fans roused themselves, whirling their shirts above their heads. Sam Knight, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 For much of the past week, all that Colombia had been able to agree upon was the pre-eminence of Luis Diaz, who remained a whirling dervish throughout the match as his side’s outstanding player. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 June 2026 That’s the question that has been whirling around Hollywood since the news broke that Amazon MGM Studios was dropping the feature just months after Amazon entered into a $50 billion investment with Sam Altman’s OpenAI. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2026 With the Splash Into Summer there, there were several sprinklers whirling around near several parts of the path giving people a chance to cool off. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026 After seeing his parents vanquished, young Adam is quickly sent by the Sorceress (Morena Baccarin) with his all-powerful sword whirling away to Earth. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 2 June 2026 Admittedly, on its best day, Penn Station feels like a whirling dervish. Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 28 May 2026 The video then cuts to two Apache helicopters whirling up. Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
  • Bailey and Hedges should be giddy about programming PitchCom to account for everything their new battery mate can toss their way.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Most appealing of all are those moments at which McLoughlin turns into an eager chatelaine, not so much dropping names as introducing them to one another, in the hope of a giddy intellectual chemistry.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The bitcoin price has crashed over the last year, with fears swirling that a further bitcoin price crash could be looming.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • With the metaphorical jet fumes already swirling on Capitol Hill, some are at least threatening to potentially put their colleagues on the record for or against adjourning until September.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But each of its eight-and-a-half minutes introduces a subtle mutation, rotating buzzing electronics and quivering guitars into the spotlight.
    Arman Khan, Pitchfork, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a rotating exhibition of photos from the New York Public Library’s Picture Collection.
    Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But the sausage slipped from its grip and plopped back into formation, alongside the others revolving lazily between rollers.
    Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The most chatter from fans of Roku City — yes, a screen saver has many, many devotees — springs from the Easter eggs, a revolving selection of more than 40 pop-culture moments and nostalgic references that populate the screen.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Flights at Germany's Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major cargo hub, were disrupted during the night after a sighting of a flying object was reported and another object was found near a runway, police said Wednesday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, the squad were much further down the fitness road in the States, helped by playing two friendlies against Wisla Krakow and Manchester United before flying out.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • What 'Managing' Executive Reputation Actually Means Managing your reputation as an executive doesn't mean spinning a narrative.
    Darius Fisher, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • For the four-year period between 2023 and 2026, culminating in a money-spinning World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, FIFA projected $13billion in revenues (subsequently updating its projections to $15bn).
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Adjective
  • If someone becomes dizzy, weak, intensely thirsty, nauseated, confused or unusually tired, move them to a cooler place or go to the hospital.
    Destenie Nock, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
  • Anyone who becomes dizzy or has trouble breathing while wearing a respirator should move to cleaner air and remove the mask.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 17 July 2026
Verb
  • The Moon enters Gemini and your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, stirring questions around trust, money, or emotional exchange.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Perez Hilton has expressed deep regret, particularly for stirring panic and fear among Hollywood celebrities through his popular blogsite.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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