as in increasing
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the little problems we ignored began to snowball into huge headaches
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Recent Examples of snowballing
Building momentum and snowballing your income is always satisfying.
—
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The rise of instax cameras Fujifilm’s instax camera is snowballing in popularity.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Are HOAs required to first apply payments to prior outstanding assessments, or can payments first be applied to current dues assessments hence avoid snowballing late fees?
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
The project — and Roan’s career, for that matter — has been steadily snowballing since its release in September 2023, with the star finishing out 2024 as Billboard‘s Top New Artist.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
The ability to breach one algorithm may also indicate that similar algorithms could be compromised, snowballing this potential crisis across data security providers worldwide.
—Jason McNutt, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
The rise of instax cameras Fujifilm’s instax camera is snowballing in popularity.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Are HOAs required to first apply payments to prior outstanding assessments, or can payments first be applied to current dues assessments hence avoid snowballing late fees?
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
The project — and Roan’s career, for that matter — has been steadily snowballing since its release in September 2023, with the star finishing out 2024 as Billboard‘s Top New Artist.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
The ability to breach one algorithm may also indicate that similar algorithms could be compromised, snowballing this potential crisis across data security providers worldwide.
—Jason McNutt, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballing
Verb
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In her recommendation to reduce costs, Maeda suggested decreasing bimonthly water meter service charges for single-family utility customers by 25% and increasing the commodity per unit charge by 12% while maintaining the yearly rate of increase.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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By connecting publications, grants, patents and policy data, researchers can gain a more holistic view of research – saving time and increasing the likelihood of meaningful discovery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Cancellations are likely to continue rising as the snow and ice storm spreads across the nation.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
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Last year marked a strong one for stock returns, despite a macroeconomic backdrop largely characterized by rising volatility amid escalating global tensions and a Federal Reserve rate cutting cycle.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Investors usually reward accelerating top-line growth, but Peloton has frequently presented the opposite, with only a few positive quarters.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Its configurability enables battery energy storage to be located closer to demand, reducing congestion and accelerating deployment.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When treating frostbite at this stage, a person might feel stinging, burning and swelling in the affected area.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Jan. 2026
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Sarah learned that Ellie’s cough was called croup and was due to swelling around her vocal cords, which can happen with viral infections.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While Aspen’s footprint is fixed, Deer Valley is still expanding, creating new ski-in/ski-out neighborhoods and appealing to buyers who value convenience and proximity to a major international airport.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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During these years, England was involved in different wars, the British Empire was expanding globally, and the Industrial Revolution was in full swing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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