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whirl

whirl

7 4.8
A busy, confused state with many fast actions
  • noun
  • /wɜrl/
translation icon : torbellino
  • Caught in a whirl of deadlines and meetings, she felt overwhelmed by her busy schedule.
  • a social whirl

Examples

  • For a time we had been almost human, in the sensual whirl of what Paris had to offer.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • I cannot write anymore, or my head will be all in a whirl, and...

  • We were so happy my heart was in a whirl

  • Values that had not been created by his actions danced in a huge whirl around him.

  • - My head's in a whirl!

  • Your head's in a whirl.

  • When Prospero gave up his magic, he left his island for the political and social whirl of Milan.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Sometimes life is such a whirl that you're doing a lot but achieving nothing for yourself.

    Blog text (10)
  • We spun in a whirl of picnics, tea dances, and evening parties.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Emily, Clayton, and I tried to stay out of her whirl of activity and waved goodbye to her from the steps.

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

commotion
vswhirl
73 4.1

A noisy situation when people are excited or confused

focuses on fast hectic movement and activity rather than loud disorder
whirlwind
vswhirl
  • Informal
34 4.2

A short time of fast activity and confusion

is used for an ongoing state of rapid confused activity, not a quick change
whirling
vswhirl
3 3.4

A fast spinning movement in a circle

is broader, meaning rapid confused activity not only circular spinning
whirlwind of activity
vswhirl
  • Informal
1 4.1

A busy time when many things happen quickly and in a confused way

refers to a general state of rapid confused movement rather than a short period
swivet
vswhirl
  • Archaic
9.9

A sudden strong feeling of worry when you do not know what to do

describes hectic physical movement and activity rather than emotional panic

Antonyms

1.0

The arrangement of things in a neat sequence

9 2.7

A state without strong feelings or worry in your mind

How Hectic

chaos
438 3.1
whirl
7 4.8
commotion
73 4.1
bustle
20 4.1
stillness
38 3.5

Surface Forms

whirl singular
whirls plural

Etymology

Whirl came from a word for 'spin', so a whirl of activity is a busy, confused time that feels like everything is moving around in circles.