SPIRAL Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

spiral 1 of 3

verb

Definition of spiral

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

straighten

spiral

2 of 3

adjective

ˈspī-rəl

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

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

What had started as regular media binges in college had spiraled out of control. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 President Emmanuel Macron announced France would receive an additional 200,000 tonnes in monthly diesel deliveries from the Gulf during his tour of the region Tuesday, as the Élysée attempts to quell spiraling cost-of-living protests. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The person buried there is believed to have belonged to the Linear Pottery culture — named for the distinctive spiral and wavy patterns decorating its pottery. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Up the marble spiral stairs—or the private elevator—are four bedrooms; the primary has views of the Columbia River and a boutique-style walk-in closet. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026

Noun

All the while, the two are engaged in a staring contest like two territorial bald eagles locked in a death spiral. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026 Thornton’s Chris journey is one that reflects a tragic spiral and fate. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spiral

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral

Verb

The top layers were pulled back and away from her face, then pinned behind her ears to show off major diamond earrings, and the lengths were loosely curled.

— Kara Nesvig, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026
Ten seconds into the game, Gray curled off the right wing and took a pass from teammate Jordin Canada at the top of the key.

— Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 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

Verb

The researchers found a population deep in a Japanese mountain valley where left- and right-coiling snails can mate and exchange genes.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Even after this week's Houthi attack on a Saudi Aramco facility, WTI is coiled in a tight triangle between falling resistance in the low 100s and rising support near 90.

— Todd Gordon, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of coil

Adjective

The incident was largely forgotten until the last few days, when a farmer in rural Minnesota discovered a circular metal object about 11 feet in diameter lay amid the forest of corn stalks.

— Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
The ongoing discussion around circular VAT in the EU is a potential opportunity.

— Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of circular

Verb

The style, which currently retails for $1,870, features silver satin uppers and is described as serpent sandals because of the winding straps that snake around the wearer’s foot.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 18 Oct. 2026
On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of wind

Adjective

The Archimedes screw gets a molecular makeover The researchers took inspiration from the Archimedes’ screw, an ancient device with a helical blade inside a cylinder that lifts water (or solids) when rotated.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
After testing roughly 40 prototypes, Brown settled on the final design, featuring patent-pending semi-helical geometry.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of helical

Browse Nearby Words

spiny

spiral

spiraled

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spiral

verb

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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