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
Cryer is similarly observant toward Sheen’s extended public meltdown, an early inflection point in the social media era in which onlookers got an exhilarating blow-by-blow of one man’s downward spiral.
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Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Even a near no-hitter wasn’t enough to lift the Dodgers out of their downward spiral.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
He’ll be forced to confront his own attachment to failure while trying to rescue his brother (Simon Rex), whose downward spiral threatens this last chance for redemption.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
This is a decades-long downward spiral.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward spiral
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Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Even a near no-hitter wasn’t enough to lift the Dodgers out of their downward spiral.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
He’ll be forced to confront his own attachment to failure while trying to rescue his brother (Simon Rex), whose downward spiral threatens this last chance for redemption.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025
This is a decades-long downward spiral.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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