as in increases
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 snowballs
That metaphysical connection soon snowballs into a mounting existential threat when Mia (Sophie Wilde) allows her best friend's eager little brother to have one round with the hand, after which his body is never the same.
—
Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Sometimes that snowballs for a defense.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
That then snowballs into a full-length feature Hollywood horror film.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2022
Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Sometimes that snowballs for a defense.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
That then snowballs into a full-length feature Hollywood horror film.
—Aidin Vaziri, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballs
Verb
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Researchers think that making art also increases neuroplasticity (the ability to form new connections).—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
17 June 2026
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That increases the risk that individuals’ personal data could be exposed, misused or commercialized without their consent.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Historic elements of the former hotel remain today, including a grand piano and white stone, spiral staircase that rises up to the second-floor banquet rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 June 2026
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The Love Goddess Venus rises in your 10th House of Career and Status, standing opposite cosmic detective Pluto in your 4th House of Home, so public goals confront private truths that need recognition.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, elevated surf conditions were reported in Laguna Beach, which can get swells up to 9 feet.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
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Summer has already kicked off with beefy surf up and down the coastline, with moderate southern hemisphere swells bringing waves in the 3-to 5-foot range at many spots the past week.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Rapid volumetric heating accelerates dye diffusion and allows for deeper penetration of the prickly pear peel pigment molecules (betalain) into the wool fiber interior swollen by the heat.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Footwear News,
17 June 2026
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Alibaba’s move comes as competition in physical AI accelerates globally.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The lab is now investigating whether the same lysosomal dysfunction in old stem cells plays a role in leukemia, a disease whose incidence climbs sharply with age.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
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Cybernews found that 59% of workers regularly use AI their company never approved, and among executives and senior managers that number climbs to 93%.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Snowballs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballs. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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