as in to curl
to follow a circular or spiral course
a narrow road spiraling up the mountain to the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in winding
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiral
Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
In the film penned by Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan of SNL, a hopeful, naive college freshman, Devon, asks the cool and confident Celeste to be her roommate, seeing a blossoming friendship spiral thereafter into a war of passive aggression.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 July 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 25 July 2025
As the night spirals into chaos, missing crew members and eerie phenomena hint at an ancient, malevolent presence watching.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
The spiral online is a little less scary when stress is channeled into actions, too, Mona Eshaiker, a licensed therapist, previously told USA TODAY.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Verb
Spiranac's confession wasn't just about poor scoring but the mental spiral that follows.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
In the film penned by Jimmy Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan of SNL, a hopeful, naive college freshman, Devon, asks the cool and confident Celeste to be her roommate, seeing a blossoming friendship spiral thereafter into a war of passive aggression.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 July 2025
Adjective
The incident also spirals into a series of confrontations between the Hunting Wives, ending in what would best be described as a blood bath.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 25 July 2025
As the night spirals into chaos, missing crew members and eerie phenomena hint at an ancient, malevolent presence watching.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 25 July 2025
Noun
On the other side, a bar with a tall, glowing wine display.
Up a spiral stone staircase, diners will find an open kitchen and spacious seating area with panoramic views of the city.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
The spiral online is a little less scary when stress is channeled into actions, too, Mona Eshaiker, a licensed therapist, previously told USA TODAY.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
-
Aphids, squash bugs, and spider mites can suck a cucumber plant’s sap and cause the leaves to yellow, brown, or curl.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
-
When the sun comes out, so does the French curl braiding hair.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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In addition, the watch has a stop-second function, which halts the balance wheel and seconds hand when the winding crown is pulled out, allowing for precise time adjustments.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 90 about 30 miles outside of New Orleans — on a winding, narrow stretch of the two-lane highway known as the Old Spanish Trail, per The Salina Journal.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
29 June 2025
Noun
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These elements are reflected in the use of subtle curves mimicking the form of the waves; a material palette of light plasters, soothing beige tones, and warm metals; and a contemporary and modern design approach aligned with Dubai’s future.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
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Sinker was great; changeup was good; slider, curve, everything was working.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
Verb
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With the line jumping crazily from the wooden box in which 1,000 yards had been coiled neatly, the beast barreled toward the bottom on a slight angle out to sea.—
Pat Smith,
Outdoor Life,
24 July 2025
-
This tangle-free braided nylon cable has patented magnetic tech that keeps it neatly coiled around the Apple Watch charger.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Turning those nutrients into domestic fertilizers not only cuts cost and waste but also reinforces a circular economy that strengthens regional supply chains and reduces reliance on global imports.—
Ryan Begin,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There were 12 to 15 circular nests easily visible within about a 10-by-15-foot area next to the shore, with each one being guarded by a male pumpkinseed swimming in place in the middle of each nest.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Its eponymous flowers are deep red-orange and the foliage is composed of whorls of needle-like, silvery-blue leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 June 2025
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But in Chile 28 percent of kids had a counterclockwise whorl.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Another hidden gem, Castello di Velona, offers a delightful stay, tucked behind ancient gates on the commune’s winding roads.—
Jenn Rice,
Vogue,
22 July 2025
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Normally, stators are wound using manual coil insertion or complex lacing machines.—
Joe Salas
July 19,
New Atlas,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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These consist of arrays of small antennas, each fed with a signal at a shifted phase to create the helical wave.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Apr. 2012
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Researchers also noted helical fiber structures in the cartilage, the twisting patterns of collagen helping prevent cracks from spreading.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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