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 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
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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The government can raise revenues by increasing the payroll tax that funds Social Security or the income threshold to continue paying the tax or raise the full retirement age.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
5 Oct. 2025
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People would be wise to consider the ever-increasing cost of homes in the area before selling their property due to immigration enforcement fears, Gonzalez said.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fatal dog attacks, though rare in the United States, have been sharply rising in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
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Joel Quenneville taking over a rising team loaded with exciting young players and leading them to the playoffs?—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And with the rise of artificial intelligence, generative science is accelerating extraordinary solutions — from mapping geothermal resources underground to discovering novel methods of energy storage.—
Melissa Jun Rowley,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
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Wells also added Capital One to the list, citing monthly credit and accelerating buybacks as catalysts.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Strays arrived at the Fox with a swelling profile driven by relentless road work and a fan base that spans country, rock and Americana.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Check for firm tubers and swelling eyes in the dahlias.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Other southern Arizona wineries are expanding with new eateries and event spaces to attract more visitors.—
Richard Ruelas,
AZCentral.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Now, Meta is expanding those protections beyond Instagram.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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