as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center
the kayaker had got sucked into the whirlpool, and his kayak was pinwheeling helplessly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 pinwheel
The man in the white vest pinwheeled his arms, ushering volunteers through the pick-up line outside the Salvation Army Community Center on Fourth Street with military precision.
—
Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, 25 Dec. 2019
Some upper-level energy may move through the region, pinwheeling from the New England storm.
—Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2019
According to the space agency, IC 2051 is a spiral galaxy, noticeable in its whirling, pinwheeling arms and a bar of stars cutting through its center.
—Fox News, 23 Dec. 2019
The result is a vertiginous nausea that sends me pinwheeling toward the bathroom, though the men still breathe at a decibel level loud enough to permeate its heavy chestnut door.
—Barrett Swanson, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for pinwheel
Lizzie Johnson, SFChronicle.com, 25 Dec. 2019
Some upper-level energy may move through the region, pinwheeling from the New England storm.
—Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2019
According to the space agency, IC 2051 is a spiral galaxy, noticeable in its whirling, pinwheeling arms and a bar of stars cutting through its center.
—Fox News, 23 Dec. 2019
The result is a vertiginous nausea that sends me pinwheeling toward the bathroom, though the men still breathe at a decibel level loud enough to permeate its heavy chestnut door.
—Barrett Swanson, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019
See All Example Sentences for pinwheel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pinwheel
Verb
-
The dining room on the floor below has deep red carpets, gold chairs, burl wood walls in a herringbone pattern and reflective metallic paint on the ceiling that intensifies the rotating 360 degree views.—
Laurie Werner,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
-
Visit The Danville Museum Of Fine Arts And History For a crash course in Danville history, plus access to a rotating lineup of fine art exhibits, the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History is a one-stop shop for all things Danville culture.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Nowadays, our conversations revolve more around sports and TV shows than our past jobs or adventures.—
Katharine Esty, Contributor,
CNBC,
16 Mar. 2025
-
As the world marks yet another International Women’s Day on Saturday, the conversation revolves once more around progress made and hurdles yet to be overcome.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Speaking of encouraging starts, Carlos Rodón spun one from the mound.—
Gary Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
27 Mar. 2025
-
With Atletico midfielder Koke attempting to cover the distance, Cardoso spins his marker and pushes the ball forward, creating separation on the halfway line.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The hitmaker clocked the most hours of anyone, twirling and twerking (with a champagne glass in hand) to every song on the DJ’s set list from ABBA and Gloria Estefan to Kendrick Lamar.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Batherson twirled his stick before tucking it back like a sword remaining in its sheath.—
Julian McKenzie,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pinwheel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pinwheel. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share