awhirl

American  

[uh-hwurl, uh-wurl] / əˈʰwɜrl, əˈwɜrl /

adjective

1. rotating rapidly; spinning; whirling (usually used predicatively).

   dancers awhirl to the strains of a lively waltz.

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Etymology

Origin of awhirl

First recorded in 1880–85; a- ¹ + whirl

Example Sentences

Granted, it’s Christmastime, but on this particular evening the warm palette awhirl over the swirls of architect Moshe Safdie’s performing arts center was in tribute to the artist and philanthropist Jeff Hanson.

From Washington Post • Dec. 22, 2020

One of the young women spoke animatedly, hands awhirl as she bantered with her lawyers during a recess.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2017

We’re off and away by then, following a mind awhirl in creative reverie.

From New York Times • Oct. 21, 2015

She drove to Mobile and then drove back again, her mind awhirl with the sort of not very interesting observations that so often pass through the minds of characters in unpublished fiction.

From The Guardian • Jul. 19, 2015

His mind was awhirl with thoughts and memories, and, at the center of everything: the mystery of himself.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor