1
as in rotations
a rapid turning about on an axis or central point
the whirl of the mechanical ride made him dizzy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in fogs
a state of mental uncertainty
so many changes at once had her all in a whirl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stirs
a state of noisy, confused activity
lost an earring in the whirl of the party
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4
as in attempts
an effort to do or accomplish something
I'm pretty good at fixing things, so how about if I give it a whirl?
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1
2
as in twirls
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rotates
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 scurries
to proceed or move quickly
cars whirling by on the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whirls
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Yates punched the air, running back and forth across the stage and propelling into leaps and whirls.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
Water vortices, such as whirlpools, are little water whirls that spin around.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Yates punched the air, running back and forth across the stage and propelling into leaps and whirls.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirls
Noun
-
The goal and focus of Brown's offense are to get everyone involved and force defenses to make more rotations and decisions, rather than keeping the offense predictable and easier to solve for defenders.—
Ricardo Sandoval,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Who served two rotations aboard the station for a cumulative 300-plus days aloft.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Stars struggled to find the target on their three attempts against Sergei Bobrovsky in the shootout.—
Adam H. Beasley,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Shot attempts were 25-12, scoring chances were 11-5 and HD chances were 3-0.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, beneath this comforting picture, another reality stirs.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Something stirs beneath the surface as this mystifying energy takes hold, inviting us to explore the shadows, confront the truth and rise into transformation.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Her staff of 60 trainers rotates teaching between the studios.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The stars and other heavenly bodies are all stationary, while the Earth rotates about its axis, with a rotational period of 360° every 24 hours.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The older dog is shown marching along, while the puppy scurries along, attempting to match its pace.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In some versions of the tale, the wolf scurries off to the forest while the three pigs live happily ever after in humble homesteads of their choice.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Michelle spins a long and complicated tale, but insists Teddy was wrong about the Andromedans trying to infiltrate and poison humanity.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Shai Fargian, corporate executive chef at Calle Sol, spins that take into something more primal.—
Timothy DePeugh,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Her twirls and spins are more careful, as befits a septuagenarian, and each was cheered enthusiastically by a crowd urging her on.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Before the Lost Weekend, John and Yoko had their New York Year — turning their personal confusions into beautifully vivid moments of rage and pain.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirls. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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