inflationary spiral

noun

: a continuous rise in prices that is sustained by the tendency of wage increases and cost increases to react on each other

Examples of inflationary spiral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Republican questioning repeatedly returned to the idea tax cuts and deregulation are helping households cope with the cost of living rather than stoking a new inflationary spiral. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 June 2026

However, that peak disruption in 1973 was far more concentrated and occurred amidst a series of global inflationary spirals and severe fiscal stress from the Vietnam War. — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Second-round effects refer to the more indirect consequences of sudden inflation shocks, such as workers seeking higher wages and firms raising prices, which can lead to an upward inflationary spiral. — Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2026

According to the White House, the US is brokering the sale of hundreds of millions of oil barrels – profits from which are already hitting the street and calming the inflationary spiral, to the point that Caracas this month felt cheaper to me than in December. — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inflationary spiral

• adenoviral
• antiretroviral
• antiviral
• retroviral
• chiral
• viral