1
as in swung
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis
absentmindedly twirled a lock of her hair around her finger
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in rotated
to move in circles around an axis or center
an ice-skater twirling in place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of twirled
Saliva, a yawn, even the sound of hair being twirled crackles with intensity thanks to Julij Zornik’s stark sound design.
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David Opie, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2025
In the video, which reached over 2 million views as of Tuesday, Stubby twirled with excitement, showing off his fresh look.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
After the brother-sister duo twirled together, Dylan’s partner on the show, Daniella Karagach, stepped in to finish the routine.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
Wings fluttered, tutus twirled and butterfly clips bobbed atop tiny heads as tiny hands, stained with chalk, turned the worn road into a living storybook.
—Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 10 Nov. 2025
As the routine twirled to a close, Olivia ran back, embracing her older brother to thunderous applause.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
For ten days in July, fighter jets roared, infantry exchanged fire in crowded streets, and mobile missile launchers twirled their payloads from sandy beachheads as part of its annual Han Kuang exercises.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Throughout the years, the company artists have danced on the grass in the museum’s sculpture court or glided and twirled in the natural light that streams from gallery windows.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025
The man twirled a weighted knife in his fingers and looked down with cold eyes that quieted the couple.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for twirled
Verb
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The kids were up at daybreak, congregating beneath the parachute, having already swung on the rope swing, picked on one another, cried a little, and gotten into a cooler of sodas.—
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Today, however, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction.—
Verb
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Neemias Queta rotated over for a late contest but was unable to force a miss.—
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose Thursday but the Nasdaq Composite slid as investors rotated out of tech.—
Verb
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The Sentra slowed and spun back into traffic before colliding with a red pickup truck, police said.—
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The ball bounced off the hands of linebacker Eric Kendricks, fell to the turf and spun slowly and harmlessly into the north end zone at Lincoln Financial Field, setting off a raucous celebration on the San Francisco 49ers’ sideline befitting of the Barbary Coast in its post-Gold Rush heyday.—
Verb
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City records going back to 2017, released to The Bee, in August show Karl Lysinger’s problems with the city revolved initially around his refusal to buy its water.—
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Beyond just apartments, the conversation in many races revolved — and diverged — around candidates’ attitudes toward growth in general.—
Verb
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Bryant turned the ball over 17 times and allowed Jonesboro (13-7, 1-1) to score repeatedly in transition.—
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Owens turned herself into Long Beach police Wednesday, and she was booked on $200,000 bail.—
Verb
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In a desperate attempt to protect her baby, the victim whirled around, confronted Aherne and grabbed the knife in the stranger’s hand, her infant child falling from the changing table onto the floor during the scuffle, cops said.—
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Here it gets whirled with Parmesan and a handful of herbs that take it to the next level.—
Verb
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Karrie Downs confirmed that 99% of what is on Facebook is exaggerated or twisted in discussing social media photos of their property and confirmed there's no proof of where those photos were taken.—
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Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter drew up two first-quarter looks that sent completely unblocked rushers at Nix, and the Chargers twisted Denver’s offensive line around multiple times with exotic blitzes that sent rushers looping around to opposite gaps.—
Verb
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During the 15-minute group ceremony, rising heat and steam are swirled by the sweep of a towel, carrying the scent of pure essential oils through the air.—
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Rumors of treason, incompetence and betrayal swirled.—
Cite this Entry
“Twirled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/twirled. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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