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
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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
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Completed by Robert Smithson in 1970, the counterclockwise spiral stretches 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide.—
Maya Silver,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
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The exhibit will explore how energy shapes day-to-day life and the world at large and how energy will shape tomorrow, and will feature a spiral slide back down to the main floor.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What happened next – her death 21 years later and Wilson's application to seal his criminal record 37 years later – are all part of a long and winding case before the Ohio Supreme Court on Jan. 7.—
Laura A. Bischoff,
The Columbus Dispatch,
5 Jan. 2026
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More broadly, its long and winding path back into the spotlight is a reminder that preparedness depends not only on scientific breakthroughs, but on whether those breakthroughs are carried forward before opportunity is lost.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Helical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helical. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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