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
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
  • There was no giddy celebration in Philly.
    Mike Lupica, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2026
  • But that's a small price to pay for one of the giddiest comedies of the century.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • There's everything from resentment to jealousy, favouritism, and deceit swirling around in a boiling-hot cauldron where fair is foul and foul is fair.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026
  • Questions have been swirling about whether Cunningham would caucus — join party meetings at the legislature — with Democrats or join Republicans.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • The Stout’s Island Lodge Restaurant serves three meals a day with a rotating menu of regional cuisine.
    Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026
  • With the pandemic lingering throughout 2021, Giles tried to keep his players fresh, physically and mentally, by rotating the squad.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Verb
  • The average cardholder now carries between $6,500 and $6,800 in revolving debt, well above pre-pandemic levels.
    Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 May 2026
  • Today's higher-than-average credit card rates aren't helping, either, as the borrowers who are carrying revolving debt from one month to the next are watching their credit card debt compound rapidly.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Other things flying up include flexible repair patches for sealing the space station’s hull, a replacement ultrasonic inspection tool, spare units for the station’s vibration monitoring system and parts to improve water processing and oxygen generation.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 May 2026
  • The pair got the gold-star treatment from some European designers, with Chanel flying them over to attend the fall show and to dine privately with Karl Lagerfeld.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Researchers in Germany have developed a new drone interceptor that uses thin metal chains to disable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) midair by tangling their spinning rotors.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026
  • Gordon says United may be spinning the story.
    Tara Lynch, CBS News, 6 May 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
  • Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring often, until flavors meld and sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 9 May 2026
  • Spencer Pratt, the former reality TV star turned Los Angeles mayoral hopeful, is coming off a busy week in the headlines thanks to his participation in a debate and his sharing of conversation-stirring videos in support of his candidacy.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Whirling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirling. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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