downward spiral
noun
: a situation in which something continuously decreases or gets worse
Her life was in a downward spiral as she battled depression and addiction.
Examples of downward spiral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.
—
Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
More crucially, the program to replace them has for a long time become ensnared in the downward spiral of Boeing.
—Clive Irving, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
For women, in particular, consistent muscle-pumping is key to avoiding the downward spiral of weak muscles, brittle bones, and falls that happens all too often with age.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
Leicester City’s downward spiral continues.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downward spiral
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Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
More crucially, the program to replace them has for a long time become ensnared in the downward spiral of Boeing.
—Clive Irving, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026
For women, in particular, consistent muscle-pumping is key to avoiding the downward spiral of weak muscles, brittle bones, and falls that happens all too often with age.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 29 Jan. 2026
Leicester City’s downward spiral continues.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for downward spiral
Cite this Entry
“Downward spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward%20spiral. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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