whirled; whirling; whirls
1
: to move in a circle or similar curve especially with force or speed
2
3
: to pass, move, or go quickly
whirled down the hallway
4
: to become giddy or dizzy : reel
my head is whirling
1
: to drive, impel, or convey with or as if with a rotary motion
2
a
: to cause to turn usually rapidly on or around an axis : rotate
b
: to cause to turn abruptly around or aside
3
obsolete
: to throw or hurl violently with a revolving motion
1
a
: a rapid rotating or circling movement
b
: something undergoing such a movement
2
3
: an experimental or brief attempt : try
gave it a whirl
Synonyms
Examples of whirl in a Sentence
Verb
The cars were whirling around the track.
Clothes were whirling in the washing machine.
The water whirled around the drain.
Her dance partner whirled her around.
Noun
My head was in a whirl.
the whirl of the mechanical ride made him dizzy
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2024
Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Oct. 2024
Miles Walls, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
The fire was seen burning on top of Santiago Peak on Tuesday at midday local time, with fire whirls visible on the fire-spotting camera located there.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whirl 
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Verb
Mayer, who grew up in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, is a whirling dervish of off-the-cuff neuroses onstage, a relatable queen on TikTok, and a blunt and brash storyteller on the page.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2024
Waterspouts are whirling columns of air and water mist above bodies of water and can take two forms, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
The whirls and swirls of the blonde wood are gifts straight from Mother Nature, and its luminous finish, simple design, straight sides, and gold-tone handles give it a modern edge that feels expensive.
—Miles Walls, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
The fire was seen burning on top of Santiago Peak on Tuesday at midday local time, with fire whirls visible on the fire-spotting camera located there.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for whirl
Dictionary Entries Near whirl
Cite this Entry
“Whirl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whirl. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whirl
1 of 2 verb
ˈhwər(-ə)l 
ˈwər(-ə)l
1
: to move or drive in a circle or curve especially with force or speed
cars whirling around the track
3
: to move or go quickly
whirled down the street
4
: to become dizzy : reel
my head is whirling
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