as in to curl
to follow a circular or spiral course
a narrow road spiraling up the mountain to the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in winding
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spiral
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 July 2025
But even the mildest, most well-meaning suggestions can hit like personal attacks for those struggling with an inferiority complex…and be enough to spark a shame spiral.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 July 2025
Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Markets have been spiraling ever since, and a U.S. appeals court is currently probing the use of tariffs after they were deemed unlawful.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
David Weiss, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Designed as a meditative oasis, the landscape includes two spaces: a spiral path lined by pollinator plantings (above), and a lawn with playful topography and plantings to foster curiosity about the natural world.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Verb
As Brooks stands in the doorway, listening to this new fight spiral out of control, there’s a fear in his weary eyes.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 16 July 2025
But even the mildest, most well-meaning suggestions can hit like personal attacks for those struggling with an inferiority complex…and be enough to spark a shame spiral.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 16 July 2025
Adjective
Some California Democrats are wary, warning that a redistricting arms race could spiral and erode trust with voters.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2025
Markets have been spiraling ever since, and a U.S. appeals court is currently probing the use of tariffs after they were deemed unlawful.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Add to that a dizzying descent on a spiral water slide for the young or young at heart at the family pool.
—David Weiss, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
Designed as a meditative oasis, the landscape includes two spaces: a spiral path lined by pollinator plantings (above), and a lawn with playful topography and plantings to foster curiosity about the natural world.
—Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
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The club starts the ice making process around Oct. 1 and was set to start curling roughly three weeks later, but this season is in jeopardy.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In Copenhagen, cyclists glide past copper spires and winding canals—cinnamon pastries in hand.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Rancho Santa Fe’s semi-rural character, with its many winding corridors and narrow or non-existent bike lanes, adds challenges for the mix of users that includes drivers, cyclists and equestrians.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The biophilic elements will include skylights, more natural-looking features such as curves, and unobstructed exit views, Scovic said.—
Phil Rockrohr,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
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The research found that trust in agents rises with greater use: only 36% of those just exploring AI agents trust their organizations to use them responsibly, compared with 95% among those further along the adoption curve.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With the line jumping crazily from the wooden box in which 1,000 yards had been coiled neatly, the beast barreled toward the bottom on a slight angle out to sea.—
Pat Smith,
Outdoor Life,
24 July 2025
-
This tangle-free braided nylon cable has patented magnetic tech that keeps it neatly coiled around the Apple Watch charger.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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This latest development comes less than a week after Loop introduced its circular polyester resin made entirely from textile waste, known as Twist.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Scrub with a soft sponge in circular motions, focusing on those stained areas.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Its eponymous flowers are deep red-orange and the foliage is composed of whorls of needle-like, silvery-blue leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 June 2025
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But in Chile 28 percent of kids had a counterclockwise whorl.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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The winding streets of Ilion are transformed into a labyrinthine maze with an armed man around every corner.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
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The winding lane to our Idea House takes its time revealing all its charms.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This helical strand of molecules allows for information contained in DNA in the nucleus of cells to be delivered to ribosomes where protein synthesis can occur.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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These consist of arrays of small antennas, each fed with a signal at a shifted phase to create the helical wave.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Apr. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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