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
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
So sometimes that moment of joy can be the kick starter to an upward spiral.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 22 June 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
So sometimes that moment of joy can be the kick starter to an upward spiral.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 22 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Upward spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upward%20spiral. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share