1
as in rotation
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 confusion
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 stir
a state of noisy, confused activity
lost an earring in the whirl of the party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to rotate
to move in circles around an axis or center
the gambler held his breath as the roulette wheel whirled
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to speed
to proceed or move quickly
cars whirling by on the highway
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of whirl
Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
Williams gave it a whirl and immediately loved its 3D mapping technology that helps the vacuum avoid furniture during its cleaning process.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
In the open back of a pickup truck, two wildlife spotters stood in front of me, whirling their flashlights.
—Mihir Zaveri, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Noun
For an auspicious start to the next 12 months, why not give one of the New Year’s Eve superstitions ahead a whirl?
—Gia Yetikyel, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
Williams gave it a whirl and immediately loved its 3D mapping technology that helps the vacuum avoid furniture during its cleaning process.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
Embers whirling down the street and landing on their front lawn.
—Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
In the open back of a pickup truck, two wildlife spotters stood in front of me, whirling their flashlights.
—Mihir Zaveri, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whirl
Noun
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Now, the Yankees have added left-handed pitcher Max Fried to the top of their rotation to replace Stroman.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
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Drive off into the sunset with Bren Joy and more of the top new R&B that’s in our rotation.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The new sweeping guidance, which the Trump administration indicated applies to nearly every aspect of educational life, prompted widespread panic and confusion among administrators at K-12 schools and colleges.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The decision to spare EIS, at least for now, only adds to the confusion.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Believe us, Ashlee Simpson’s lip-sync disaster caused quite a stir at the time.—
Shannon Carlin,
TIME,
15 Feb. 2025
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The second report, released in December by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, caused a stir in the research and temperance communities.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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McClung didn’t disappoint on his next try despite having already clinched a spot in the final.—
Josh Dubow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
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How to Play 'Connections' In Connections, players are faced with the challenge of separating 16 words into four categories based on a common thread in four tries or fewer.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Questions have been swirling on campuses in recent days: Will colleges have to cancel special graduation ceremonies for marginalized groups?—
Zachary Schermele,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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Rumors have swirled for years that the Broccolis have clashed with Amazon over the direction of Bond.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Recording stops and starts without a hitch; the joystick movements instantly spin the motors; the rear trigger reorients the phone; and the zoom dial zooms the camera view when rotated.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
18 Feb. 2025
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Once water is spinning on its own, add eggs, one at a time.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Harter rotates between his three go-to flavors: Cherry, Strawberry and Mint — without the chocolate chips.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
20 Feb. 2025
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The video in question surfaced on Reddit, and shows the console being rotated 180-degrees, the Joy-Cons snapping into place, and a screen attachment connecting to the bottom USB-C port.—
Jason Evangelho,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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An automobile sped around another car stopped for crossing signals on Wisconsin Highway 14 near Kenosha and into the path of a Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad electric passenger train heading south for Chicago at 70 mph.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Feb. 2025
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Some experts have warned that Trump's agenda might speed up the program's insolvency.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whirl. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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