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

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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 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
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
  • Eurodance with the bass-heavy Swedish genre EPA-dunk and 3Cha—the giddy electronic dance music from Thaiboy’s home region of Isaan in Thailand—to form a new kind of globalist hyperpop.
    Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Their struggle has upturned the tabletop candle that illuminates the scene and any moment will surely extinguish it, effacing the giddy pattern formed by the writhing bodies and glowing, veiny bladder skin.
    Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There’s a lot of controversy swirling around surveillance technology, and Atlanta is a hotbed of it.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Rumors have been swirling that the iPhone's 20th anniversary will bring some big changes for some time.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Astrobotic put its Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) through its paces for the first time.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The show, which films at Joe Rogan’s Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, combines stand-up, improv and the classic comedy roast, with Hinchcliffe and a rotating slate of guest judge comedians roasting wannabe stand-ups seeking a minute to launch their act.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Swizzle Dinner & Drinks delivers retro glam atop the Galt House with two revolving floors unveiling ever-changing skyline views.
    Hillary Richard, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026
  • And, as the interest compounds at those rates, even a manageable revolving balance can quickly balloon into something far harder to control.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The drone can be seen intercepting a low-flying Ka-52, maneuvering towards its port weapon pylon before the footage dramatically cuts.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
  • According to Delta's policies, there are no restrictions for flying while pregnant on the airline.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Off the coast of Rhode IslandAP — Offshore wind turbines roughly three times the height of the Statue of Liberty were spinning far off the coast of Rhode Island on Thursday, sending clean electricity to the region.
    Jennifer McDermott, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Booth, Guiteau, Czolgosz, Oswald must all be spinning in their graves!
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • By applying lower‑body compression, the garment helps counteract a common condition called orthostatic intolerance that causes astronauts to faint or feel dizzy following an extended mission in microgravity.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The caller hit their head and felt dizzy.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Add onion and celery; cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
    Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026
  • By evening, disruptive Uranus enters your 12th House of Secrets and Solitude, stirring dreams, memories, and subconscious patterns.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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