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
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Recent Examples of spiral
Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Iran signaled an aggressive response to this latest bid to break its stranglehold over the strait, which has left global shipping at an effective standstill and sent energy prices spiraling.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The complex consists of a 1960s-era office block transformed into a five-star hotel, a photo studio revived as a fitness and swim club, and a brutalist parking garage converted into office spaces, with an art gallery set up in the old spiral parking ramp.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
Big Think, 4 May 2026
The legal spiral surrounding former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert just took a far darker turn.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Verb
Senior White House staff discussed invoking the Twenty-fifth as Nixon spiralled into paranoia.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Iran signaled an aggressive response to this latest bid to break its stranglehold over the strait, which has left global shipping at an effective standstill and sent energy prices spiraling.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 4 May 2026
Adjective
As rental costs spiral, Andrea Riquier reports, a growing number of companies are offering services that allow the monthly charge to be split.
—Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 4 May 2026
The complex consists of a 1960s-era office block transformed into a five-star hotel, a photo studio revived as a fitness and swim club, and a brutalist parking garage converted into office spaces, with an art gallery set up in the old spiral parking ramp.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 May 2026
Noun
How to pull up Irish out of its death spiral?
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
The legal spiral surrounding former Turnstile guitarist Brady Ebert just took a far darker turn.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
-
Peach leaf curl causes stone fruit leaves to curl and pucker, even on trees sprayed with fungicide and horticultural oil last winter.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
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Havertz turned and flicked it to Eze at the edge of the area, who curled home a spectacular finish.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Even the entrance is enveloping—a winding, sheltered, dark wooden path that smells like intense relaxation and essential oils.—
Morgan Fargo,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
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Climb the 199 winding steps to the top, where you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the Delaware Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape May Point State Park.—
Carlianne Brennan,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Here are three fool-proof tips to stay ahead of the curve during the volatility to come.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
7 May 2026
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In all seriousness, maybe Brian Kelly is just ahead of the curve on this one.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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But when classes resumed this week for the first time since the Iran war began, coiled barbed wire blocked the Palestinian siblings’ path to the village center.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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As a performer, Tetzloff uses a natural physicality, at times leaning back from the piano as if to take a good look at his hands on the keys, and at other times coiling forward in rapt concentration.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rather than grouping artists around a theme, curator Miguel Rodez invited each participant to work within the circular format while maintaining their own visual language.—
Miguel Sirgado,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
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The shoes went with her couture Maison Margiela dress, which was jewel-embellished and featured a crinkly circular feature framing her.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Noun
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In most flowers, sepals are a whorl of green, known as a calyx, at the base of the petals, but here sepals, which are pointed, make up the entire inflorescence.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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Rendered with a deep blue backdrop and whorls of soft spring colors, La femme finds Lopez staring peaceably into the middle distance, holding a bouquet of flowers.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Those looking for more physical adventures can head to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, with winding hiking trails through colorful rock formations.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2026
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The Bolt winds back and dives like a roller coaster, shooting downward at a vertiginous 85 degrees.—
Allie Garfinkle,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Designed by Scott Wilson Architecture with interiors by Cherie Grisham, the residence opens with a dramatic double-height foyer capped by a 20-foot reflective ceiling and anchored by a sweeping helical staircase.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 May 2026
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The two twisted helical stair stringers that support the treads are the structural beams that support the stairs and anyone going up and down them.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
3 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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