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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

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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
Others seized on this reasoning, and the mythmaking quickly spiraled. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 The government's counter-insurgency spiraled into sectarian violence. — Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
But things quickly spiral beyond clear narrative recognition, as piecing together the story becomes a puzzle unto itself. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026 When Shaun turns mad scientist to fix the problem, things rapidly spiral out of control… With The Farmer missing and a wild beast roaming the woods of Mossingham, all the ingredients are in place for a monstrously fun family adventure. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
And Spiezio had spent the last 13 years in a self-destructive spiral. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Look here for a dose of quintessential British quirk, like a hypnotic oxblood spiral or a floral backplate accompanied by a butter yellow knob. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 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
  • Calvin Harris switched the point of attack and fed Luiz right into stride, and Luiz curled one into the far corner from outside the penalty area.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Her pass found Nina Nijstad, who fired off a curling shot past Cosette Morché to put the visitors up 1-0.
    — Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 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
  • Set the scene Beyond the majestic main building, which sits on one of the endless curves of the Amalfi road, there are two new villas in addition to an older one, the beautiful Romeo e Giulietta.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Wells has the clearest near-term opportunity to benefit from higher rates, but the yield curve isn’t a major part of our thesis.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of curve
Verb
  • Its body will coil around the museum’s gallery, lobby and atrium, and poke through the walls.
    — Siran Babayan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • This tendril-like bot can coil around other structures like a vine.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of coil
Adjective
  • One children’s style also uses lenses containing at least 60 percent bio-circular content, according to the company.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Inside, plastic gives way to brushed aluminum and Alcantara upholstery – a synthetic suede-like fabric– and the classic circular dials are reborn as digital displays set into a horizontal aluminum strip.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 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
  • The house sits on a high point overlooking the Hampshire Downs, with the driveway winding through the land and trees before reaching the main entrance.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Any New Yorker will tell you, the journey from your first apartment in the city to your ideal home is a long, winding path.
    — Matt Goulet, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of wind
Adjective
  • After testing roughly 40 prototypes, Brown settled on the final design, featuring patent-pending semi-helical geometry.
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of helical

Browse Nearby Words

spiny
spiral
spiraled
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on spiral

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spiral

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