upward spiral
noun
: a situation in which something continuously increases
Gas prices continued their dizzying upward spiral.
Examples of upward spiral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then, with human approval, the system acts on the plan in an ever-upward spiral of reinforcement.
—
Vimal Kapur, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
But as far back as 2024, signs began appearing that the furious pace of construction and the upward spiral of rents wouldn’t continue.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
But the insider selling that is to come, and the corporate financing that must come, will spell the end of the upward spiral.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
For managers, this creates an upward spiral.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Hoping to generate an upward spiral of rising salaries and inflation, officials encouraged companies to pass on higher import prices and give wage increases to employees.
—River Akira Davis, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Deficits are currently on track to run in the 6% to 7% of GDP range for years to come, creating an upward spiral that risks much higher interest rates or challenges rolling over the national debt.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024
Creating an upward spiral of performance—for anyone on the performance spectrum—is simply about practicing the back-to-basics fundamentals of management.
—Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
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Vimal Kapur, Time, 19 Jan. 2026
But as far back as 2024, signs began appearing that the furious pace of construction and the upward spiral of rents wouldn’t continue.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2026
But the insider selling that is to come, and the corporate financing that must come, will spell the end of the upward spiral.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2025
For managers, this creates an upward spiral.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Hoping to generate an upward spiral of rising salaries and inflation, officials encouraged companies to pass on higher import prices and give wage increases to employees.
—River Akira Davis, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Deficits are currently on track to run in the 6% to 7% of GDP range for years to come, creating an upward spiral that risks much higher interest rates or challenges rolling over the national debt.
—Neil Irwin, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024
Creating an upward spiral of performance—for anyone on the performance spectrum—is simply about practicing the back-to-basics fundamentals of management.
—Bruce Tulgan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Upward spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward%20spiral. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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