to whirl

Examples

• All

• When he sensed Worf's scrutiny, he whirled and returned it.

  Fiction book (1991)

• Worf reached for his phaser, staring at the whirling dust devils.

  Fiction book (1992)

• And yet... there are things whirling around in my brain.

  The Talk of the Town (1942)

• Things were whirling around in my head.

  Detour (1945)

• Mother talks very fast now, so fast my head whirls with each sentence.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "Do you recognize it, Uncle Mac?" Jada whirled in the long green dress.

  Fiction book (1993)

• Iris, who had been brushing her hair at the dressing table, now whirled around on the bench.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Fragments of her dreams whirled away, no more than curls of smoke on a windy day.

  Fiction book (1992)

• "What are you girls doing, may I ask?" it said, and both Pnina and Miriam whirled around, terrified.

  Fiction book (1993)

• But now I saw her tacking toward us through the whirling snow, brisk as a ship under a stiff breeze.

  Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

T

to turn

vsto whirl

∞ 1.0

Move something so it faces a different direction or side

is specifically rapid and twisting rather than any slow or simple rotation

S

to spin

vsto whirl

578 1.0

To make something turn around quickly

is about rapid circular or twisting motion generally, not only for objects

S

to swirl

vsto whirl

131 2.7

To move in a twisting or circular way

is specifically rapid and emphasizes speed over flowing movement

S

to spin around

vsto whirl

88 2.1

To turn your body quickly in a circle many times

is broader, applying to circular movement not limited to self rotation

T

to twirl

vsto whirl

65 2.0

To spin something or yourself quickly and lightly

is stronger and emphasizes fast twisting force rather than light motion

W

to wheel

vsto whirl

33 4.1

To turn quickly to face a different direction

is more about rapid spinning motion rather than a sudden directional change

S

to swivel

vsto whirl

26 4.7

To turn around on a point to face a different way

is about rapid circular or twisting motion, not just pivot rotation

R

to reel

vsto whirl

26 4.3

To spin quickly in circles and feel dizzy

is similar but describes steady rapid circular motion without dizziness

S

to swing around

vsto whirl

22 3.2

Turn quickly to face the opposite direction

is about continuous rapid circular motion, not an abrupt change of direction

G

to gyrate

vsto whirl

12 6.9

Spin around in circles or spirals

is more about rapid twisting movement, not only circular or spiral motion

W

to whirl around

vsto whirl

11 3.7

To move quickly in a circle, often through the air

is more general and may not be continuous or airborne

W

to wheel around

vsto whirl

6 4.2

To turn quickly to face a different direction

is centered on fast circular or twisting movement rather than pivoting to face another way

G

to gyre

vsto whirl

1 9.2

To move in a circle or spiral

is focused on rapid circular or twisting motion rather than spiral shape

C

to circle round

vsto whirl

1 3.5

Move around something or someone in a circle

is more about rapid twisting movement rather than simply moving around another object

W

to windmill

vsto whirl

1 5.0

To move your arms or legs in wide circles like the blades of a fan

is general rapid circular movement, not limited to limbs or wide gestures

Phrasal Verbs

G

to give a whirl

• Informal

12 4.9

Try something once to see if you like it or are good at it

W

to whirl around

11 3.7

To move quickly in a circle, often through the air

G

to give it a whirl

• Informal

9 5.8

To try something for the first time to see if it works

How Fast

to whiz

• US

19 4.5

to whirl

16 2.6

twirl

14 2.7

to rotate

140 3.0

turn

466 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology