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
Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
At the top of a roller-coaster hill in Highland Park, Thomas Zamora and his husband, Raul Rojas, enjoy two spectacular views — of the Pasadena hills to the east and of the meandering expanse of native plants, succulents and vegetables in a backyard that once was nothing but dirt and junk cars.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Following a roller-coaster conversation about the succession plan for the city’s top administrator, the commission voted 6-1 to appoint Williams and pursue a search to take no longer than six months.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
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, 28 Mar. 2024
With its roller-coaster feel, it’s often named as a favorite track among drivers.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
The roller-coaster ride hasn’t stopped, but Segarra’s learned to appreciate that their grief, too, is an expression of love.
—Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024
The Texas Panhandle is no stranger to face-blasting winds nor roller-coaster dips in temperature.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024
The 2023-24 NBA season has taken Sacramento on a wild roller-coaster ride with a stomach-turning series of twists and turns.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 16 Feb. 2024
USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Her life was a roller coaster of highs and lows but doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
—Shalene Gupta, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
This is because the weather patterns have the potential to be a bit of a roller coaster.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 30 Mar. 2024
The next two decades were a roller coaster: Smith used, then quit, then used more, then quit again.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 26 Mar. 2024
Other parts of the project include a Formula 1 circuit, a Six Flags theme park that will include several record-breaking roller coasters, as well as the biggest water park in the Middle East.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
Along with a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and other rides, Fairyland offered carnival acts and games, a fun house, a massive pool and an outdoor pavilion that showcased the nation’s top musical acts, many featuring Black performers.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Outdoor Adventures across Florida Adventures with kids in Florida aren’t limited to indoor activities and roller coasters.
—Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Also, Dollywood's newest roller coaster Big Bear Mountain — a two-minute, 3,990-foot thrill ride — will return for its second season.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The announcement, posted by Musk on X Friday afternoon, capped off a weird day of reports and counter-reports that sent Tesla’s stock on a roller-coaster ride, slipping down 6 points on the day before recovering in after-hours trading.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
At the top of a roller-coaster hill in Highland Park, Thomas Zamora and his husband, Raul Rojas, enjoy two spectacular views — of the Pasadena hills to the east and of the meandering expanse of native plants, succulents and vegetables in a backyard that once was nothing but dirt and junk cars.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Following a roller-coaster conversation about the succession plan for the city’s top administrator, the commission voted 6-1 to appoint Williams and pursue a search to take no longer than six months.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
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, 28 Mar. 2024
With its roller-coaster feel, it’s often named as a favorite track among drivers.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
The roller-coaster ride hasn’t stopped, but Segarra’s learned to appreciate that their grief, too, is an expression of love.
—Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024
The Texas Panhandle is no stranger to face-blasting winds nor roller-coaster dips in temperature.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024
The 2023-24 NBA season has taken Sacramento on a wild roller-coaster ride with a stomach-turning series of twists and turns.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 16 Feb. 2024
Noun
Cruise ships feature a range of amenities, from roller coasters and go-kart tracks to spas and dining, but passengers may not always know where to find mental health resources on board.
—USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024
Her life was a roller coaster of highs and lows but doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
—Shalene Gupta, TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
This is because the weather patterns have the potential to be a bit of a roller coaster.
—Chris McKeown, The Enquirer, 30 Mar. 2024
The next two decades were a roller coaster: Smith used, then quit, then used more, then quit again.
—Lev Facher, STAT, 26 Mar. 2024
Other parts of the project include a Formula 1 circuit, a Six Flags theme park that will include several record-breaking roller coasters, as well as the biggest water park in the Middle East.
—Melvin Backman, Quartz, 22 Mar. 2024
Along with a roller coaster, Ferris wheel and other rides, Fairyland offered carnival acts and games, a fun house, a massive pool and an outdoor pavilion that showcased the nation’s top musical acts, many featuring Black performers.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
Outdoor Adventures across Florida Adventures with kids in Florida aren’t limited to indoor activities and roller coasters.
—Jp Shaffer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Also, Dollywood's newest roller coaster Big Bear Mountain — a two-minute, 3,990-foot thrill ride — will return for its second season.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roller-coaster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near roller-coaster
Cite this Entry
“Roller-coaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roller-coaster. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share