churn

verb

Definition of churnnext
1
as in to swirl
to be in a state of violent rolling motion a churning sea made getting to the island a risky undertaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to stir
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly churn the cream until it turns into butter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of churn If industrial mining machines churn up the seafloor, these delicate biological networks could collapse. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 Much of the work to keep the movie’s pulse racing is done by the dense soundscape folded into Joseph Trapanese’s churning score. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026 Ersoy said one of the amphoras, or containers, recovered featured nine different markings and two holes in its body and may have been used to churn cheese or butter. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 And in September, Hurricane Marie churned up big waves that damaged oceanfront homes near Los Angeles before veering away from the coast. — Nicholas Grondin, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for churn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for churn
  1. swirl
  2. stir
  3. boil
  4. spin
  5. seethe
Verb
  • The composition of these jets isn’t crystal clear, but scientists suspect electrons, positrons (the antimatter versions of electrons) and perhaps protons are pulled along swirling magnetic lines before being sent out from the black hole’s poles.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • As for the suites, the highlight is their private terraces, peaceful havens from which to admire, paradoxically, the urban whirlwind swirling below.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of swirl
Verb
  • Uncover and stir, making sure nothing is stuck to bottom of pot.
    — Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In Namibia’s remote, soul-stirring wilderness—one of the least inhabited places on earth—French hotelier Arnaud Zannier has created a new breed of hotel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of stir
Verb
  • Its stainless steel body can last for years of making pour-over coffee every morning or evening cups of hot tea, and the kettle also comes in handy to boil water fast for everyday recipes.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Roast halves cut side down rather than boiling them, since roasting concentrates the sugars and cuts moisture.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of boil
Verb
  • Once the researchers accounted for this requirement, the window for a split narrowed considerably, potentially remaining open only for black holes spinning close to their maximum possible rate.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Christopher Bell, who entered just five points behind Larson, crashed after spinning while entering the pits under green for his first pit stop on Lap 56.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of spin
Verb
  • Audiences may justifiably seethe at how Sutskever’s safety-first mindset gets steamrolled by Altman’s slick accelerationism (as happened in real life).
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • So, expect Liverpool fans to be seething inside and outside of Anfield.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of seethe

Browse Nearby Words

churls
churn
churned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Churn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/churn. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on churn

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about churn

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