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
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 Mark Harmon also returns as Ryan, Tess’ husband, ever steadfast and supportive of her whirling dervish personality. Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025 Here, a whirling mass of robots stamp out roofs, fenders, and hoods, which are automatically stored in soaring racks overhead. IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
Adjective
  • The two lovebirds were snapped looking giddy and in love if this blast from the past.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Today's talkers Travis Kelce is giddy.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Studs, leopard print, and DIY ornamentation sit alongside soft pastels, swirling graphic patterns, and a Nouveau color palette inspired by the Parisian Metropolitain signs.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But then, in August of 2024, it got stuck — again — this time slowly twirling in a kind of ocean vortex known as the Taylor column.
    Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
  • On a recent summer evening, at the monthly Sunset & Salsa rooftop party, twirling couples filled the dance floor hours before the harsh sun finally set.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Instead, the integration of HRC US has resulted in some staff rotating through F1 programs in Europe and Japan.
    Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The undulating building features exhibition spaces, a library, a museum, and concert venues where a rotating program of art exhibitions, performances, conferences, and workshops showcase Azeri history and contemporary culture, both local and international.
    Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The final result needed to be invisible, weightless, scentless, and makeup-gripping, all of which were achieved with flying colors—actually, with no color at all since the formula is completely clear on all skin tones.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Before flying, check your airline’s website for more details on what’s allowed.
    Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Scott appeared to have done his job, spinning a full-count slider below the strike zone that Lee chased.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Ledford is a songwriter to watch, spinning urgent, gripping tales of life’s ups and downs in the midst of a wildly colorful and psychedelic musical universe.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Keen observers may witness small flocks of Phalaropes swimming in dizzy circles in the quiet ponds.
    Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • There’s also something of the McIlroy highwire act with Alcaraz, especially in the breathless blitz of brilliance that rises to the top and then drops off from the dizzy heights of the rollercoaster.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften and become slightly golden and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
    Faye Levy, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Keep it at room temperature for up to three days, stirring the mixture once per day.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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