spiraling 1 of 2

variants or spiralling

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
Months later, Rick is shocked, and begins spiraling, when one of his tunes becomes an uncredited global hit for his new celebrity soulmate. The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 June 2026 Now is the time to recognize and fight to reverse the spiraling fall of the United States of America’s status as the foremost nation in health care innovation. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2026 Sheets of flame, crumbling brick, a spiraling murmuration of cinders. Literary Hub, 3 June 2026 This would be equivalent to a vague text message spiraling out of control or an irrational fear. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 Instead of focusing on deep cleans or tackling big projects in a single sitting, these micro-cleans prevent messes from spiraling. Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026 Should an incident occur, it can be detected more quickly, causing minimal disruption and keeping the incident from spiraling into a crisis. Ryan Grant, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Investigations, reviews and outside probes In the midst of the overpayment debate, the unemployment insurance division devolved into a series of investigations, reviews of those investigations and spiraling distrust between staff and superiors, labor department documents obtained by The Post show. Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 31 May 2026 Just 17 months later, with inflation spiraling out of control, Carter kicked Miller upstairs to be Secretary of the Treasury. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiraling
Adjective
  • Each episode centers around a new ‘book of the week,’ ranging from science fiction epics and romantasy sensations, to literary classics and underground cult favorites, before the conversations spiral far beyond the page.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 June 2026
  • The dress was crafted with thick, halter-style straps and three spiral rosette appliqués.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s continuing ongoing supply crunches of helium, fertilizer, natural gas and oil, the effects of which are still winding their way through the global economy and the worst may not be felt for weeks, even if traffic were to reopen today.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
  • Narrow, winding streets and passageways lead up to the centuries-old Eglise Saint-Sauveur for sweeping views of the rugged valley.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Still, even these black holes have gravitational influences that can impact more than the swirling platters of gas and dust — that influence can also affect the motion of stars orbiting the black holes.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 June 2026
  • Scenes of furious sketching, intricate designs of delicate cutouts and swirling shapes and fabrics, pinning, sewing and the bustle of runway shows alternate with fretting about how to pay the rent.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • This is a stock that has done its consolidating and may be coiling for the next move.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 8 June 2026
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • The final putt — two feet, 10 inches — was appropriately dramatic, teetering along the left edge before curling back into the cup.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Another indicator of ripeness is the tendril (the curling bit of vine), which will turn dry and brown when the melon is ready to harvest.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • The long curving claws of white ivory glistened their deadly threat.
    Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
  • On the other side of the 15th floor is the large indoor pool that sits beneath a curving glass ceiling that brings in ample sunlight.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spiraling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiraling. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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