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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Example Sentences
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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 organization’s Green Heart Project, which studies the impact of better air quality on heart disease through urban greening, has found that increasing the number of trees and shrubs in an area can create lower levels of a blood marker associated with inflammation.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
26 Oct. 2025
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Coffee prices have been increasing sharply since the start of this year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Wealthier Americans have been assisted by rising house values, lucrative stock market returns and favorable credit, while lower- and middle-income buyers have faced tighter budgets and have been hit hard by rising inflation.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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With rising tuition, heavy student debt, and a shaky job market, more young workers are rethinking the four-year degree and turning to faster and cheaper routes to a steady career.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Policymakers should focus on accelerating implementation of Africa’s free trade area to make the continent more resilient to global shocks, the secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat said.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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With rising prices suppressing demand, Cohen said many businesses will choose to slash orders in the upcoming holiday season, triggering layoffs and accelerating economic slowdown.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Lina Thomas, commodities strategist with Goldman Sachs Research, said in a video posted on Thursday the swelling price of gold is more than hype.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
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The hawk was found, unable to fly, on a picnic table at a San Jose park in late July, suffering from an open head wound and tearing and swelling in her right eye — impacting her vision, which is integral to hunting for food, according to a press release from PHS/SPCA.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In 2025, Ohtani is likely to earn another MVP award, adding to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Environmental advocates question the need for expanding fossil fuel resources a time when greenhouse gases from those fuels are worsening climate change.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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