spiral 1 of 3

verb

Definition of spiralnext
as in to curl
to follow a circular or spiral course a narrow road spiraling up the mountain to the summit

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spiral

2 of 3

adjective

ˈspī-rəl How to pronounce spiral (audio)
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

spiral

3 of 3

noun

as in curve

Related Words

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 spiral
Verb
But the close quarters and intimate relationships mean that personal problems immediately become group issues and, as sitcoms go, quickly spiral out of control. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026 Some critics attacked it as tone-deaf, given the war in Iran and the attendant, spiralling gas prices. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Adjective
But your first goal is to make sure that one unexpected bill doesn't trigger a debt spiral — even $25 per pay period is a start. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Queen conchs live in spiral, sandy-colored shells with a bright pink or orange interior. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
There are regulatory hurdles, faculty contracts, responsibility to students, restricted funds with legal limitations and the death spiral that suspicion of closure can trigger. — Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Both sides preferred mutual retrenchment to the devastation that would have ensued had the spiral continued. — Gloria Xiong, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
  1. curl
  2. winding
  3. curve
  4. coil
  5. circular
  6. whorl
  7. wind
  8. helical
Verb
  • She’s played with a darkly enigmatic, unnerving quality by James in her finest work to date — a knowing, even domineering smile often curling around her lips.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The faster lines already have started to curl higher, as well.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of curl
Adjective
  • Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.
    — Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026
Definition of winding
Noun
  • Treasury yields moved lower across the curve on Thursday, as traders look ahead to key services and jobs data for more insights into the domestic economic picture following a sharp sell-off in global bond markets.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Here was this fit, so daring and so specific, that clung to the curves of our legs like cellophane.
    — Jane Herman, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of curve
Verb
  • An alarmed individual may coil its body and open its mouth in an attempt to appear more intimidating.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The lights dangled from white beams, their power cables coiled and hanging like tails.
    — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of coil
Adjective
  • Glass ceilings give the bar area a bit of a greenhouse feel, while the dining area is more sumptuous, with roomy semi-circular banquettes, oversized lamps, and contemporary art.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The bathroom, for instance, is housed in its own circular pod, while the kitchen sits in a central pit.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of circular
Noun
  • Visually, the result was a restlessly fluctuating Technicolor whorl.
    — Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Blue, purple, or white whorls of flowers rise above the strappy foliage in summer.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
Definition of whorl
Verb
  • Hundreds of homes and businesses hugged the Trishuli River, which cuts a winding path through the Nepali Himalayas.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • During the Covid pandemic, the staff voluntarily used their fallow time to repair some of the old pilgrim trails winding through the forest behind.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of wind
Adjective
  • So what to us may look like a distinctive left-twisting helical structure is actually the result of these two layers of fibrils oriented in opposite directions.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
  • One question is whether the helical structure is also present at the micro- and nanoscale.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of helical

Browse Nearby Words

spiny
spiral
spiraled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on spiral

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spiral

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All