SNOWBALLING Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

snowballing

verb

present participle of snowball

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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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 snowballing But efforts in the greater Charlotte area have been snowballing since last fall, with Cornelius overhauling its ordinance in November and Waxhaw and Davidson following suit in February. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2026 Over the proceeding year and a half, snowballing AI hype has sent valuations in the space soaring to spectacular new heights. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 June 2026 But just as his mistakes were snowballing downhill, Willis rebounded from one pick and another dropped interception to make what was probably his best throw of the day. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026 The codebase becomes harder and harder to manage, so technical debt begins snowballing. — Sebastian Avila, Forbes.com, 5 Mar. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballing

Verb

After months of decline, gas prices across the country are steadily increasing after the fragile ceasefire between Iran and the United States broke down last week.

— Mirtha Donastorg, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Medicare regulators on Tuesday proposed to ban vendors from providing remote patient monitoring services on behalf of doctors, a major policy change for a rapidly growing care model that’s been the subject of increasing scrutiny.

— Mario Aguilar, STAT, 15 July 2026

Definition of increasing

Verb

But the number started rising about a decade ago, with a particularly notable spike in 2018 and 2019.

— Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
But interest in the nascent field is rising as companies notch up milestones, such as enabling people with degenerative conditions including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to type or play video games using brain signals.

— Elaine Yu, CNBC, 11 July 2026

Definition of rising

Verb

According to the team, the new model helps in reducing the need for costly physical training while accelerating the development of more capable and adaptable robotic systems.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
By April 19, the tilt sensor measurements were accelerating at a rate that made scientists determine a collapse was imminent.

— Rosanna Xia, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of accelerating

Verb

Bond auction draws highest yield since 2007 An auction of 30-year Treasury bonds Thursday drew the highest yield in nearly 20 years, underscoring how swelling bond supply is driving investors to demand higher returns from government debt.

— Bloomberg, Oc Register, 9 July 2026
This can result in blood pooling in the legs, causing discomfort, swelling or a heavy feeling.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of swelling

Verb

To solve the dearth of heirs, government ministers have proposed reinstating former branches of the royal family, thereby expanding the pool of male successors.

— Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
While Rodriguez and other supporters have pushed to preserve the unit, critics of expanding Sheriff’s Office funding argue that the county should instead invest in social and community services.

— Reeti Malhotra July 13, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of expanding

Browse Nearby Words

snowballed

snowballing

snowballs

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“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of snowballing

verb

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