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
The basic idea is that when anxiety spikes, pulling out a few sensory-engaging items can stave off panic by interrupting spiraling thoughts. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 30 Apr. 2026 Still annoyed, weirdly offended, and slightly spiraling. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 6 Apr. 2026 Violent confrontations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota are being driven by outside actors exploiting chaos, not organic protest, according to a protest insider warning that the situation is rapidly spiraling. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Demonstrations broke out over the near-collapse of the rial and spiraling economic conditions but grew to become a larger movement against the regime. Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 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
However, Friday’s labor data, at least, dampened fears the squeeze is spiraling into a full recession. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 10 May 2026 One comes from the Caspian Sea region, with an elaborate, spiraling pattern, filled with a sugar-spice mixture that reminds me, in the most flattering way, of a brown sugar-cinnamon Pop-Tart. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026 Bedard has given a spiraling Blackhawks fanbase hope and excitement again. Scott Powers, New York Times, 8 May 2026 The for-pay student athlete model with no cost certainty has created an environment of spiraling costs that even the schools in TheBigSEC10 struggle to cover. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026 Such usage for a leverage arm in early May is unenviable, but the Astros are trying to keep their season from spiraling. Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 7 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 Rather than demonstrating American power, the conflict has pulled the US into a deeply unpopular and seemingly intractable confrontation with spiraling global economic consequences. Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 4 May 2026 Alexander's shocking confession sent them both spiraling. Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 3 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiraling
Adjective
  • The star was dipped in a rainbow of colors from her décolletage down to the spiral train of her body-hugging dress with fringe falling down the cuffs of the long-sleeve gown.
    Beatrice Dupuy, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • The former Sidos space has been transformed into a restaurant with neon signs, faux greenery, tapestries depicting temples and spiral light fixtures.
    Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • Shamet has had a winding second season in New York, a run that’s included a second significant shoulder injury in as many years after dislocating it in preseason play last year.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026
  • Be sure to drive the spectacular, winding Needles Highway and walk around lovely Sylvan Lake.
    Jess Hoffert, Midwest Living, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • The news comes amid swirling reports and speculation about a number of cases.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Lowery manifests that vision as a swirling tangle of red fabric that acquires an almost corporeal form, a mesmerizing jolt of color in the sumptuous darkness of DP Andrew Droz Palermo’s visuals (Rina Yang shot the concert scenes).
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Look to Hermès for a fresh take on jewelry styling by coiling a silk scarf around a pendant and pairing with a simple button-up and trousers.
    Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Comprising irregular, curling and warped forms, the bed is crafted from stainless steel, powder coated in pink and black shades, with its design reportedly informed by female eroticism and intuition.
    Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Add to that endless beaches trimmed in aquamarine surf, pulsing with relentlessly curling waves topped with dancing surfers.
    Kathryn Romeyn, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Wilson is zoned for the 9th District, which extends across most of the state’s southern border before curving up to encompass the largely white and affluent Nashville suburbs.
    Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • Wilson is zoned for the 9th District, which extends across most of the state’s southern border before curving up to encompass the largely white and affluent Nashville suburbs.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • The main performance is scheduled to include aerial acrobatics, bondage, burlesque and drag performers from groups such as The Dragonettes, AKArts Collective and others with hypnotic live looping and vocal music from Morgan Sorne.
    Anne Schrager, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Tight baseline battles, pressure from Shelton and counterattacks from Ruud, using the violent topspin of those big looping forehands.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spiraling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiraling. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster