as in spiral
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, travels a helical path through space
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of helical
Closer to the galaxy's core, the jet takes on a helical form.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bless Volkswagen for keeping the helical gears turning, both literally and figuratively.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
The magnetic field might be shaped like a spiral (called helical) or doughnut shaped (called toroidal).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Power is sent through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission to the front wheels through a helical limited-slip differential.
—Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Bless Volkswagen for keeping the helical gears turning, both literally and figuratively.
—ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2025
The magnetic field might be shaped like a spiral (called helical) or doughnut shaped (called toroidal).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helical
Adjective
-
There are several spots to cool off in Treasure Valley as the temperatures rise, including Roaring Springs Water Park in Meridian, which added a new spiral water slide for the 2026 season.—
Hali Smith
June 2,
Idaho Statesman,
2 June 2026
-
The numerous bright red dots strewn around M88’s spiral arms are old stars, while the pink and blue represent star clusters and dust clouds.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Navigating the loss of a friend can be a long and winding journey.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
End your drive at Mount Lemmon Ski Area, the southernmost ski resort in the U.S. Just northeast of Tucson, Arizona, the two-lane asphalt of the Sky Island Scenic Byway (also known as the Catalina Highway) carves a winding path up into the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helical. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
