as in spiral
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, travels a helical path through space
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Recent Examples of helical
The team designed a soft, airless wheel that features elastic steel strips in a woven, crossed-helical pattern.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Closer to the galaxy's core, the jet takes on a helical form.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bless Volkswagen for keeping the helical gears turning, both literally and figuratively.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
Closer to the galaxy's core, the jet takes on a helical form.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bless Volkswagen for keeping the helical gears turning, both literally and figuratively.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helical
Adjective
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While most are deflected, some particles spiral along magnetic field lines toward the poles, colliding with oxygen and nitrogen atoms high in the atmosphere.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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Each episode centers around a new ‘book of the week,’ ranging from science fiction epics and romantasy sensations, to literary classics and underground cult favorites, before the conversations spiral far beyond the page.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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From $561 per night. Perks: Saltwater pool and spa, king beds in all rooms, piano, fire pit At the top of a long and winding drive awaits Le Petite Retreat.—
Jessica Cherner,
Architectural Digest,
5 June 2026
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Said Rahmani often compared his life story to the plot of Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist, in which a young shepherd sets off on a long and winding journey to find his treasure, only to learn that it was buried near his home all along.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helical. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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