roll·er-coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 
ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-
: marked by numerous ups and downs
an entertainer's roller-coaster career
roll·er coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
1
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll
2
: something resembling a roller coaster
especially
: behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes
an emotional roller coaster
Examples of roller-coaster in a Sentence
Noun
We went for a ride on the roller coaster.
The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Kirkham, USA Today, 7 June 2025
As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025
The main park has more than 55 rides and attractions ranging from roller coasters to water play areas for little kids, a botanical garden, shows, seasonal events, like Brick-or-Treat in the fall, and more.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for roller-coaster
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Adjective
The stock has been on a roller-coaster ever since Musk endorsed Trump in mid-July 2024 in his re-election bid, gaining 169% from that point through mid-December.
—Chris Kirkham, USA Today, 7 June 2025
As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride, as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Noun
The expo is known for its vast, teeming trade floor that includes vendors of all manner of manufacturers and creative types, presenting everything from water-slide equipment to major roller coasters to plush animals for carnival games to theme park announcements.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 June 2025
The main park has more than 55 rides and attractions ranging from roller coasters to water play areas for little kids, a botanical garden, shows, seasonal events, like Brick-or-Treat in the fall, and more.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for roller-coaster
Cite this Entry
“Roller-coaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roller-coaster. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
roller coaster
noun
roll·er coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) with sharp curves and steep slopes on which cars roll
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