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
After spending two years on top of the Formula 1 mountain, Red Bull is in a downward spiral, both on and off the track.
—
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
If layoffs start to rise, Americans would be forced to rein in their spending, triggering a downward spiral that would lead to weaker economic growth and even more layoffs.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Over the last year, that quote has been used as a stick to beat Postecoglou with as Spurs’ league form has been locked in a downward spiral.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 May 2025
What saves it, aside from Aster’s willingness to get much darker and escalate into gruesome violence, is the movie’s deft depiction of Joe’s downward spiral, embodied with watery-eyed dedication by Phoenix.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward spiral
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Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
If layoffs start to rise, Americans would be forced to rein in their spending, triggering a downward spiral that would lead to weaker economic growth and even more layoffs.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Over the last year, that quote has been used as a stick to beat Postecoglou with as Spurs’ league form has been locked in a downward spiral.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 20 May 2025
What saves it, aside from Aster’s willingness to get much darker and escalate into gruesome violence, is the movie’s deft depiction of Joe’s downward spiral, embodied with watery-eyed dedication by Phoenix.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
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 29 Jul. 2025.
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