pinwheeling
Limbs whirling wildly
Pinwheeling describes a spinning or rotating motion like a pinwheel's—arms or limbs whirling outward from a center point.
Someone falling might pinwheel their arms for balance: He went pinwheeling down the slope.
The word captures chaotic, flailing rotation rather than smooth spinning.
Extended uses describe anything spiraling outward or cycling rapidly: Her thoughts went pinwheeling in panic.
Rapid circular motion
- whirlingRotating swiftly in place
- rotatingTurning on an axis
- gyratingRotating rapidly, spiraling
- revolvingTurning around a center
swirling · pirouetting · wheeling · spiraling · circling · turning · cartwheeling · windmilling
Upper body limbs
- limbsBody's major appendages
- flailingUncontrolled limb movement
- careeningTilting or swaying recklessly
- tumblingAcrobatic rolling and flipping
uncontrolled · wildly · falling · stumbling · cartwheeling · windmilling · sprawling · lurching
Rotating structure harnessing air
- paperPressed pulp for writing
- plasticCapable of being molded
- stickThin piece of wood
- carnivalTraveling amusement attraction
fairground · party · favor · childhood · blow · colorful · foil · garden
Light, gentle air movement
- gustBrief wind surge
- airflowMovement of atmosphere
- blowMove air forcefully
- draftPreliminary version of text
turbine · propelled · catching · fluttering · wind-driven · anemometer · weathervane · ventilation
twirling
Rapid circular motion
revolving · swirling · pirouetting · wheeling · spiraling · circling · turning · cartwheeling · windmilling · flailing
arms
Upper body limbs
- limbsBody's major appendages
- flailingUncontrolled limb movement
- careeningTilting or swaying recklessly
tumbling · uncontrolled · wildly · falling · stumbling · cartwheeling · windmilling · sprawling · lurching · staggering
windmill
Rotating structure harnessing air
carnival · fairground · party · favor · childhood · blow · colorful · foil · garden · ornament
breeze
Light, gentle air movement
draft · turbine · propelled · catching · fluttering · wind-driven · anemometer · weathervane · ventilation · current