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snowball

verb

Definition of snowballnext
as in to increase
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the little problems we ignored began to snowball into huge headaches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 snowball In the three decades-plus since, a highly successful restaurant launch has snowballed into one of hospitality’s most recognizable global brands. — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026 What started as isolated demonstrations has quickly snowballed into a season-defining narrative, forcing the WNBA to navigate a level of ideological polarization rarely seen in the league. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 That has snowballed in the last couple of years with social media and influencers coming here. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026 The removal of Maelor, however, snowballed into this moment where that character’s absence didn’t allow for that horrific book moment to be realized, so another set of reasons was concocted. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snowball
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowball
  1. increase
  2. rise
  3. swell
  4. accelerate
  5. climb
  6. expand
Verb
  • The incidence of colorectal cancer in particular has increased among younger people in recent years, other studies have found.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Fall travel is increasing even to destinations in Asia, where the window between September and November is already the peak season.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of increase
Verb
  • Profits returned to growth this year, rising 3% to just over $1 trillion, after a 5% decline in 2025.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The proportion of people older than 65 is rising rapidly, while the working-age population that supports them shrinks.
    — Venki Ramakrishnan, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of rise
Verb
  • His fortune has also swelled thanks to gains from his private investment firm DFO Management—which manages his wealth and capital—and invests in public stocks, private companies, real estate, and liquid corporate credit.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The space suddenly swells with agents, assistants, clients and others shuffling through for lunch.
    — Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of swell
Verb
  • Know More The accelerating pace of extreme weather has made snowfall on Vail’s properties less predictable.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • To do this, a ramjet has to be accelerated by a separate rocket engine or the equivalent.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • For those who favor outdoor adventure, climb up the famed hiking trail to get to the medieval fortress at the very top of the town.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The company has paired AI with wall-climbing robots to detect corrosion, predict equipment failures, and reduce shutdown times, Semafor reported.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of climb
Verb
  • In the 1980s some politicians and activists expanded their definitions to include Asian and African groups.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Data center demand meets nuclear power The agreement comes as Google expands its Finnish infrastructure, including its data center in Hamina.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of expand

Browse Nearby Words

snow
snowball
snowballed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snowball.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowball. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on snowball

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about snowball

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