as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the little problems we ignored began to snowball into huge headaches
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of snowball
Since then, thanks to an infinite loop of cable airings, The Shawshank Redemption has snowballed into the ultimate male weepie — a nakedly sentimental drama that guys can choke up watching and not feel guilty about afterward.
—
EW.com, 23 May 2025
Comfortably winning the first Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election was both a measure of the party’s snowballing popularity and the power of celebrity.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Dissatisfaction today can quickly snowball into crisis tomorrow.
—Rodrigo Silva, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Issues with the case snowballed at the beginning of 2014.
—Natalie Meade, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for snowball
EW.com, 23 May 2025
Comfortably winning the first Hull and East Yorkshire mayoral election was both a measure of the party’s snowballing popularity and the power of celebrity.
—Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Dissatisfaction today can quickly snowball into crisis tomorrow.
—Rodrigo Silva, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Issues with the case snowballed at the beginning of 2014.
—Natalie Meade, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for snowball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowball
Verb
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Establishing a medical school here is expected to increase the likelihood of graduates practicing in the area, while addressing a national shortage of physicians.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
-
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has arrested an increasing number of migrants with no criminal convictions, according to an ABC News analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement data.—
Laura Romero,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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That, however, may be a blessing in disguise that allows Fatu to rise up the ranks on SmackDown even quicker than expected.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
After the game, there seemed to be bruising and swelling around it.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
The phenomenon was accompanied by heavy rainfall that occurred farther north, causing a stream to swell and damage several properties.—
María de los Ángeles Orfila,
Space.com,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
Putting oneself in those situations that challenge conversational comfort zones and embracing discomfort, tension and unresolved conflicts accelerates growth significantly.—
Chris Schembra,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2025
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This can accelerate aging and increase the risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers.—
Essence,
Essence,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Armed with picks Nos. 8 (own), 19 (via Milwaukee), 22 (via Atlanta), 26 (via New York), 27 (via Houston) and 36 (own), Brooklyn had enough assets to potentially climb the draft board if needed.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
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Innovative Technology of Oklo The demand for electricity is anticipated to climb sharply in the upcoming years, and nuclear energy is emerging as a compelling solution.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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As part of the package, the Department of Transportation (DOT) will deliver more than $275 million in grant funding to expand parking access for truck drivers nationwide.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
1 July 2025
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Weeks later, the BBC expanded Frediani’s empire to include News at One.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Snowball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowball. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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