Synonyms of whirl

whirl 1 of 2

noun

1

as in rotation

a rapid turning about on an axis or central point

the whirl of the mechanical ride made him dizzy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rotation
• twirl
• spin
• roll
• curve
• wheel
• reel
• revolution
• twist
• gyration
• spiral
• circle
• pirouette
• curl
• round
• orbit
• circulation
• coil
• ring
• circuit
• swirl
• whorl
• eddy

2

as in confusion

a state of mental uncertainty

so many changes at once had her all in a whirl

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confusion
• fog
• tangle
• perplexity
• bewilderment
• bemusement
• bafflement
• maze
• discombobulation
• puzzlement
• distraction
• mystification
• head-scratching
• befuddlement
• muddle
• discomfort
• distress
• bamboozlement
• confusedness
• dismay
• agitation
• embarrassment
• bewilderedness
• commotion
• mortification
• perturbation
• flurry
• discomfiture
• turmoil
• chagrin
• disturbance
• upset
• disquiet
• abashment
• dither
• fuss
• disconcertment
• bother
• fluster
• stew

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confidence
• assurance
• certainty
• conviction
• sureness
• certitude
• positiveness

3

as in stir

a state of noisy, confused activity

lost an earring in the whirl of the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stir
• commotion
• hurry
• disturbance
• fuss
• turmoil
• clatter
• storm
• fun
• racket
• noise
• roar
• hurricane
• to-do
• bustle
• clutter
• tumult
• hubbub
• bother
• coil
• ado
• hoopla
• row
• pother
• flurry
• zoo
• squall
• ruckus
• shindy
• rumpus
• furore
• helter-skelter
• uproar
• blather
• pandemonium
• moil
• welter
• splore
• hullabaloo
• furor
• kerfuffle
• stew
• hoo-hah
• ballyhoo
• ruction
• foofaraw
• hoo-ha
• hurly-burly
• hurry-scurry
• bluster
• howl
• upheaval
• hurly
• corroboree
• do
• flutter
• cacophony
• clamor
• hurry-skurry
• bobbery
• din
• outcry
• alarums and excursions
• hubble-bubble
• williwaw
• unrest
• eruption
• disorder
• brawl
• hue and cry
• fray
• outbreak
• mêlée
• tizzy
• outburst
• fever
• scuffle
• melee
• fret
• lather
• dither
• fracas
• hassle
• flare-up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• stillness
• calm
• hush
• tranquillity
• quiet
• tranquility
• order
• quietude
• orderliness

4

as in try

an effort to do or accomplish something

I'm pretty good at fixing things, so how about if I give it a whirl?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• try
• attempt
• stab
• go
• offer
• endeavor
• shot
• bid
• pass
• fling
• trial
• whack
• crack
• assay
• essay
• bash
• struggle
• undertaking
• throes
• striving
• trial and error

whirl

2 of 2

verb

ˈ(h)wər(-ə)l 

1

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly

whirled the chocolate syrup into the milk with a spoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stir
• swirl
• wash
• shake
• whisk
• churn
• whip
• agitate
• wheel
• beat
• reel
• paddle

2

as in to spin

to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis

the figure skater whirled his partner with effortless grace

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spin
• turn
• swing
• twirl
• rotate
• swirl
• twist
• roll
• revolve
• wheel
• swivel
• pivot
• screw
• wind
• crank
• reel
• unscrew
• twiddle
• circulate
• coil

3

as in to rotate

to move in circles around an axis or center

the gambler held his breath as the roulette wheel whirled

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rotate
• revolve
• spin
• twirl
• turn
• roll
• curl
• circle
• swirl
• wheel
• gyrate
• curve
• pinwheel
• pirouette
• wind
• round
• twist
• spiral
• coil
• ring
• circulate
• twine
• orbit
• encircle
• pivot
• swivel

4

as in to speed

to proceed or move quickly

cars whirling by on the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

• speed
• hurry
• rush
• scurry
• fly
• travel
• trot
• drive
• jump
• chase
• race
• buzz
• zip
• blow
• run
• scoot
• blast
• dart
• step
• scuttle
• rip
• breeze
• dash
• hurl
• tear
• zoom
• motor
• jog
• bowl
• course
• whisk
• shoot
• rustle
• ram
• hustle
• hurtle
• bolt
• jet
• blaze
• hasten
• hie
• bundle
• crack (on)
• gallop
• career
• belt
• bustle
• careen
• rocket
• hare
• barrel
• nip
• hump
• beat it
• get a move on
• flit
• pelt
• highball
• make tracks
• shake a leg
• bomb
• step on it
• cannonball
• scamper
• hotfoot (it)
• streak
• whizz
• whiz
• accelerate
• stampede
• sprint
• quicken
• scud
• beetle
• step out
• scuffle
• outrun
• catch up
• overtake
• outstrip
• fast-forward
• outpace
• arrow
• beeline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crawl
• creep
• poke
• drag
• linger
• hang (around or out)
• poke
• lag
• dawdle
• stroll
• loiter
• shuffle
• tarry
• amble
• saunter
• plod
• slow (down or up)
• lumber
• dillydally
• decelerate
• dally

5

as in to swim

to be in a confused state as if from being twirled around

my mind whirled from all of the excitement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spin
• swim
• turn
• reel
• swirl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• collect
• steady
• settle
• calm

Examples of whirl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Joel’s recording is not bad at all, but if only someone like Bobby Womack had given it a whirl! 21. —Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2024

Trending on Billboard Amidst the lively whirl of 5th Avenue, where the city’s heartbeat pulses through its bustling streets and perpetual traffic, a hidden enclave of artistic fervor thrives. —Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2024

Verb

In a trice couples formed, and the dancers whirled away more wildly, more extravagantly than before, for all the lads and lasses were fired with ambition to show us how real Hungarians could dance. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 30 Sep. 2024

Sitting to Gerstenmaier's right and reporting to him as the director of commercial space development, McAlister's mind whirled with possibilities for throwing himself in front of the oncoming bus. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Sep. 2024