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
The Mandelson revelations have dominated British media for days, snowballing into one of the country’s biggest political scandals this century.
—
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
This kind of transparency builds safety and keeps small issues from snowballing into resentments.
—Molly Burrets, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
But the problem began snowballing only late last month, when Grok seemingly granted a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
The result, advocates and doctors say, is that babies with certain genetic diseases are diagnosed only after symptoms start snowballing.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
But the problem began snowballing only late last month when Grok seemingly granted a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others.
—Kelvin Chan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Building momentum and snowballing your income is always satisfying.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 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
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
This kind of transparency builds safety and keeps small issues from snowballing into resentments.
—Molly Burrets, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
But the problem began snowballing only late last month, when Grok seemingly granted a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
The result, advocates and doctors say, is that babies with certain genetic diseases are diagnosed only after symptoms start snowballing.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
But the problem began snowballing only late last month when Grok seemingly granted a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others.
—Kelvin Chan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
Building momentum and snowballing your income is always satisfying.
—Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballing
Verb
-
The series became a bestselling book, increasing Anderson’s profile as an incisive commentator with biting wit but very little malice.—
Jessica Lipsky,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
With tax incentives reduced and competition increasing, analysts expect EV sales growth in China to slow.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In many of the world’s most intriguing superconducting materials, superconductivity appears only within a curved region of a phase diagram, rising to a peak before fading again.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Over the past four years, the number of New Zealanders aged 30-50 emigrating has more than doubled – from 18,000 to 43,000 – fueled by rising living costs and a weakening job market, demographers told CNN.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Multiple sub-Saharan African countries had seen credit-rating upgrades in recent months thanks to improving fiscal situations, falling global interest rates, and accelerating economic growth.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Destroying Iran’s missile threat Israeli intelligence assessments before the operation indicated Iran was accelerating its ballistic missile production with plans to reach 8,000 missiles by 2027.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The hallmark symptom of mumps is swelling of one or both parotid glands, which can cause puffy cheeks and tenderness along the jaw.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Symptoms include swelling, itching, or irritation of the mouth or throat; hives or an itchy rash; nasal congestion; headache; trouble breathing; cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After observing Choe Hyon's sea trials on Tuesday, Kim said the ship met operational requirements and called it a symbol of the country's expanding naval capabilities.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Ukrainian manufacturers have developed low-cost interceptor drones specifically designed to hunt and destroy Shaheds, and its rapidly expanding drone industry is producing excess capacity.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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