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whirling 1 of 2

adjective

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
as in revolving
to move in circles around an axis or center the gambler held his breath as the roulette wheel whirled

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4
as in flying
to proceed or move quickly cars whirling by on the highway

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 combat scenes, frequently pitting Latif’s sharpened steel against more popular American weaponry, are staged with whirling verve, wit and, best of all, balletic coherence. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 The room grows as silent as this whirling slot machine of a city can get. — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 The sounds of generators humming and chain saws whirling filled the neighborhood Thursday afternoon. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 Too bad then that Sophie is such a softie, secretly inviting the whirling dervish to their two days of rest and relaxation. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 Twenty-four hours later, my brain is still whirling over yesterday’s stunning news from Merck and Moderna about the success of their personalized mRNA cancer therapy in a melanoma late-stage clinical trial. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 20 Aug. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirling
  1. giddy
  2. swirling
  3. rotating
  4. revolving
  5. flying
  6. spinning
  7. dizzy
  8. stirring
Adjective
  • With the film set to go into production in fall 2027 in Alberta, Canada, and Switzerland, Meier is giddy about the prospect of painting on a broader canvas than ever before.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The attendees were hip, all ages, and slightly giddy, ready to have whales blow their minds.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of giddy
Verb
  • But what about the broad lines, supposedly caused by hydrogen swirling fast around a black hole?
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce After Kelce gushed about catching Swift’s Eras Tour and attempting to meet the singer backstage in July 2023, rumors began swirling about what might be going on between the superstar pair.
    — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of swirling
Verb
  • The dial shows off Australian opal in full force, a dazzling stone that shifts between different shades of blue, depending on the light; the same material is used in between each of the 12 rotating cubes.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 8 Sep. 2026
  • There are other ways to provide enrichment, like rotating toys every day to stimulate exploration, using puzzle feeder dishes to satisfy hunting behaviors and playing videos for your cat showing birds or fish.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of rotating
Verb
  • The production uses a revolving cast, and McCarthy was never scheduled to perform alongside Lipman.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Short-term working capital needs are often better suited for a revolving line of credit.
    — Joseph Lustberg, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of revolving
Verb
  • The other seats are all chained to the table for when Carrie sends everything in the room flying.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • In 1983, the 12m yacht Azzurra — flying the YCCS burgee — represented Italy for the first time in the long history of the America’s Cup, the oldest sports trophy in international sport, finishing third in the challenger series at its first attempt.
    — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of flying
Verb
  • Speaking to Deadline several weeks back, Jackson said the indie’s strategy is to keep the plates spinning with one or two returners while simultaneously seeking interesting IP for limited series.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Ongoing legal battle The concession comes after a head-spinning legal battle between supporters and opponents of the 2022 and 2025 congressional map.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of spinning
Adjective
  • Several other instances of illness linked to the MBG program have cropped up, including a group of 15 elementary schoolers and a school principal who became nauseous and dizzy after a meal in the Aceh province’s Bener Meriah regency, per the AP.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Most patients feel dizzy, nauseated and weak within 30 to 60 minutes.
    — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of dizzy
Verb
  • In a team meeting on the eve of their stirring 28-20 victory over the Cowboys, the Giants gave Jack Harbaugh their full attention and respect.
    — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Increase heat to high and cook, stirring often, until meat is cooked through and no longer pink and zucchini is tender, 6–8 minutes.
    — Caroline Chambers, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of stirring

Browse Nearby Words

whirled
whirling
whirlpool
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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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