revolve

To move around a central point or object in a circular path.

• The Earth revolves around the sun.
• Several moons revolve around this planet.
• The satellite revolved around the planet for years.

How to use it: revolve around something (The moon revolves around the Earth.)

Similar words: orbit, circle

Common phrases: revolve around something, revolve around the sun

To turn around a line through the middle of an object.

• The wheel began to revolve.
• The platform revolves slowly during the show.
• This door revolved smoothly before it broke.

How to use it: revolve on an axis (The globe revolves on a central axis.)

Similar words: rotate, spin, turn

Common phrases: revolve slowly, revolve on something

To think carefully about an idea for a long time.

• She revolved the idea in her mind.
• He revolved several plans before choosing one.
• I continued to revolve the question long after our conversation.

How to use it: revolve something in your mind (He revolved the question in his mind all evening.)

Similar words: ponder, consider, reflect on

Common phrases: revolve an idea, revolve something mentally

To move through a series of things in order, often returning to the beginning.

• The program revolves through each queue.
• The display revolved through a sequence of images.
• These tasks revolve in a fixed order.

How to use it: revolve through something (The program revolves through the available queues.)

Similar words: cycle

Common phrases: revolve through something, revolve in sequence