as in increasing
to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number
the little problems we ignored began to snowball into huge headaches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
Building momentum and snowballing your income is always satisfying.
—
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballing
Verb
-
Still, mainstream Democrats and the Democratic Party seemed inclined to hitch their fates to many of the issues which currently define a politics of domination, like threatening Venezuela or increasing ICE funding, even though for the first time, more voters want to abolish ICE than to keep it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
But the increasing state support comes amid a dramatic overall decline.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Black will join rising redshirt senior Devin McDonough and rising sophomore Luke Brown on the roster.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
-
In an increasingly hostile regulatory environment, with a cooling economy and rising costs across the board, Colorado’s small businesses need relief, not another squeeze.—
Ryan Gonzalez,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Despite re-accelerating growth while expanding its AI narrative, NET has failed to convert fundamentals into durable upside.—
Tony Zhang,
CNBC,
14 Jan. 2026
-
But for large industrial firms—for OEMs of turbines, compressors, chillers, heavy machinery—the real value is in accelerating engineering itself.—
Paul Eremenko,
Fortune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In some children, peanut allergy can trigger severe, life-threatening reactions, including difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat and a dangerous drop in blood pressure, according to Mayo Clinic.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
In July, the White House also shared that the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which causes noticeable swelling in his legs.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Over the years, Harold’s Chicken grew far beyond its original location, expanding into a regional brand with restaurants across eight states.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Mitsubishi is looking to capitalize on rising power needs from data centers, manufacturing, as well as LNG exports, by expanding in the the world's largest gas market, citing domestic consumption, production, exports, and further demand growth.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snowballing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballing. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
