swirl 1 of 2

1
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly kept swirling her lemonade until the ice had melted and it was completely watered down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to turn
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis swirled her skirts as she danced the tango

Synonyms & Similar Words

swirl

2 of 2

noun

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 swirl
Verb
Wednesday Jerome Powell, the Fed chair, is set to give a speech at the Economic Club of Chicago, with questions swirling about inflation and interest rates. Vivienne Walt, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Engagement rumors began swirling in 2023 after Hamrick was seen sporting a sparkling diamond on her ring finger. Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
The Hershey's Chocolate Salted Caramel Cheesecake Doughnut features an unglazed shell doughnut, filled with a caramel cheesecake cream, dipped in milk chocolate icing and topped with chocolate cookie crumb and a salted caramel swirl. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Today’s styles run the gamut from nostalgic hearts and classic knots to bursting stars and beachy swirls. Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swirl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swirl
Verb
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, thyme, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    Nicole Hopper, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But in his second term, Trump's aggressive trade policies and confrontational stance toward America's allies are threatening to turn that populist wave into a dangerous undertow.
    Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Francis’ Death Silences a Voice for the Voiceless As democratic values and alliances were being turned upside down, the pope was a consistent moral guidepost.
    Helene Cooper Jason Horowitz Claire Brown Maureen Cavanagh, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to The New York Times, early turnout was sparse, though not surprising given the tiny voter roll of 279 individuals.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
  • And as the credits roll, Joel’s not with Ellie anymore.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine in the company of live music and rotating art installations.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Wilcke: While the quarterbacks rotated early and often, Loftis and Harrell looked to be in a 1A-1B role, while Wilcke worked with the second team.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Following a dominant spring training, Meyer secured a spot in the Marlins’ rotation and has since emerged as the team’s most reliable starter.
    Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • However, between its strangely obfuscated profiles and overall lack of extra features, Raw shouldn't be the only dating app in your rotation.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Less than two months later, the Warriors then spun Schröder to the Pistons in the multi-team trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Although deGrom gave up just one run over seven strong innings, Yamamoto spun seven scoreless innings at Globe Life Field.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In its pursuit of those ideas, Deep Blue Sound doesn’t always cohere, but its eddies and tidal pools are still full of treasures.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
  • There are also plasma eddies and other phenomena that interfere with the operation of satellites and degrade their materials.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Rae twirled ethereally next to the Venezuela electronic music diva, who delivered an overal avant-garde set, also bringing out Tokischa for a duet.
    Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In the balletic battles staged by director Kazuya Tsurumaki (of FLCL and Evangelion fame), humanoid hunks of metal leap and twirl across the stars before smashing into space colonies or each other.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swirl. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on swirl

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!