spiraling 1 of 2

variants or spiralling
Definition of spiralingnext

spiraling

2 of 2

verb

variants or spiralling
present participle of spiral

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 spiraling
Adjective
In our seminar, Bolin later showed a visualization of 3I/ATLAS's orbit around the galaxy — no neat ellipse, but rather a looping, spiraling path distorted by encounters with gas clouds, spiral arms and dark matter. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
Robbins said having that mental image ready gives the brain something else to focus on when fear starts to rise, rather than spiraling into worst-case scenarios. Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026 Small business owners in Iran have long been seen as supportive of the regime, but anger over spiraling inflation and the devaluation of the nation's currency, which lost more than 40% of its value last year, making everyday goods impossible for many people to afford, sparked the demonstrations. Joe Walsh, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026 On Thursday, though, Staios released an explosive statement condemning those who continue to spread stories or add to the spiraling rumor mill. Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026 But my life was spiraling at this point. Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026 The Knicks did win, 123-111, in a turn of events that may have saved a spiraling season—because Mike Brown held a mirror in front of his team during practice at the Tarrytown training facility on Tuesday. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026 This is a great week for budgeting without spiraling, making a realistic plan, or committing to something that supports you long-term (not just emotionally, but materially). Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026 Venezuelans deserve the promise of democracy and the rule of law, not a state of endless violence and spiraling disorder. Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026 The film follows seventeen-year-old Katie Thompson, a troubled teen spiralling after the tragic death of her younger brother – a loss that has left her not only emotionally scarred but also cursed with a disturbing ability to glimpse the world beyond the living. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiraling
Adjective
  • On the far right side, a giant elliptical galaxy appears to have a stream that connects it to a group of galaxies that exhibit spiral and disk-like features, with stellar streams abounding in that galaxy group or cluster.
    Big Think, Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025
  • This track has more spiral turns than any other track previously created by Andretti.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Manhattan’s urban grid disappears among the winding paths and dense foliage of Central Park.
    Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Jan. 2026
  • For the youngest visitors, the Castle of Dreams—a two-story sandcastle complete with a winding slide and ambient sound—is a must.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Afterwards, Canadian downtempo duo Freak Heat Waves pulled a projector screen down from the ceiling and got to work swirling house, psych-rock, dub, and trip-hop into an entrancing, yet slightly somber zone.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2025
  • On the third day of their search, as Bruce waded into the water holding a safety line, feeling for the man with his feet, swirling currents swept him away.
    Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Coil the Hose Keep your hose in good condition for the coming year by coiling it in large, loose loops to avoid kinks.
    Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
  • Our Stochastic oscillator has been coiling in oversold ( < 20) conditions for a considerable period, suggesting building demand from buyers and a scarcity of outstanding sellers.
    Jay Woods, CNBC, 18 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Robinson got confused, tried to switch onto the curling Dixon-Waters while his defender, Chuck Bailey III, also trailed him to the wing, leaving Gwath alone under the basket for an easy dunk.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Rentable cabanas along the trail are great for gatherings and s'mores, and weekly sessions of ice bocce (a blend of curling and bocce ball) amp up the fun.
    Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • At first glance, the choker reprises the incisions and delicately curving edges meant to evoke Chanel’s distinctive quilting, with a sliding clasp closure to adjust it closely to the neck.
    Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 4 Jan. 2026
  • Later came scores on a free kick and curving corner kick to help account for a 4-0 halftime lead.
    Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Launched in February 2020, the European Space Agency’s Solar Orbiter has been following a looping path around the Sun.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Key qualities are the multicolor LED lights and sound machine functions (30 non-looping sounds, by the way).
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spiraling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiraling. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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