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 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballing
Verb
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As an increasing number of American communities – more than 4,000 and counting – have fallen victim to mass shootings since 2016, survivors increasingly say their path to healing is one that may never be complete.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
Eight years later, Loomis voters approved Measure C with more than 71% support, extending the existing tax without increasing the rate.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Councilman Bobby Wilson calls that way too high, especially with utility bills rising and the Pittsburgh Public School board proposing a tax increase of its own.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
9 Dec. 2025
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During that time, Stricklin zeroed in on two potential Billy Napier replacements — one of which was a rising SEC star who was also linked to other top job openings including Auburn and Penn State.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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This week, industry executives told me that generative AI adoption is accelerating as producers seek to meet rising content demand in the country’s $32 billion media and entertainment sector while navigating tighter budgets.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
11 June 2026
-
These transactions have happened in the dark for years, with accelerating velocity through the AI boom.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The production carried a sense of scale, swelling with orchestral weight and emotional lift, framing the tournament as something larger than sport.—
Desjah Altvater,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
The American Breast Cancer Foundation urged men to be aware of any changes in their chest area, including nipple pain, lumps and swelling in the breast or underarm.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
10 June 2026
Verb
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According to Academy rules, the number of nominees in each category is determined by the volume of submissions, with the field expanding to a sixth lead or supporting nominee only once entries cross the 80-submission threshold.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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While Londontown seeks a corporate manager for its rapidly-expanding surveillance regime, Palantir continues to bully its way to good business.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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