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
Salah’s outburst, which came after being named as a substitute for the third consecutive game over a six-day period in December, sent a season already spiralling into complete chaos. Andy Jones, New York Times, 25 May 2026 The start of the war in February also followed mass anti-regime protests in Iran the previous month, fueled by economic discontent amid spiraling costs. Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 24 May 2026 Thousands of people rallied in central Madrid on Sunday against spiraling housing costs that have priced many Spaniards out of the housing market despite a recent economic boom, particularly in cities such as the country's capital and Barcelona. ABC News, 24 May 2026 Thousands of people rallied in central Madrid on Sunday against spiraling housing costs that have priced many Spaniards out of the housing market despite a recent economic boom, particularly in cities such as the capital and Barcelona. Alicia Leon, Fortune, 24 May 2026 Hathaway said that experience forced her to confront deep insecurities and learn how to stop spiraling under public scrutiny. Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026 Baker Mayfield may not want to relive the Bucs’ 2025 season, from the peak of a 6-2 start to spiraling out of the playoffs with losses in seven of the last nine games. Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026 From there, Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed sends Maslany’s character along an ever-spiraling and darkening mystery, which entangles her co-workers at the magazine (played by Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg and Charlie Hall), complicates that custody battle, and puts her under ever more pressure. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 May 2026 With little rain to obscure the view, an enormous spiraling thunderstorm created an otherworldly scene as the sun set in southwest Oklahoma. Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiraling
Adjective
  • The bay structure may represent overlapping gas flows where the outer edge of the spiral intersects with material stripped from the smaller cluster during the collision, according to the study.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 May 2026
  • Produced by Kunal Kemmu and Chirag Nihalani through their Drongo Films banner, Vibe centers on two inseparable friends whose ordinary, unassuming lives spiral into an unpredictable, high-energy adventure that pushes their survival instincts and friendship to the limit.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Grabbing Plants Grabbing plants, such as Clematis and grape vines, use winding tendrils to grab onto a support structure.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 May 2026
  • Despite the dilapidated state, the couple fell in love with its ancient olive trees, a creek and a network of aqueducts winding through the fields.
    Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • For bigger crews, there’s a three-bedroom Coral Villa and the swirling Perlah Villa complex, which comes with space for up to nine guests and has a pool, dining pavilion, and secluded beachfront lawn for barbecues.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
  • The giant, flaky turnovers ooze with a swirling mix of sweet guava paste and cheese.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 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
  • Hulda is curling in on herself.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 13 May 2026
  • Rios turned with the ball at the top of the penalty area and sent a curling effort into the top corner.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Gowns and slippers come with blue trims and the curving serif font of The Twenty Two’s quietly cool branding.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 May 2026
  • Mutable clay offers a contrast to precise silver, in a composition that has the curving voids reminiscent of Joan Lurie and Henry Moore.
    Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 17 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

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Cite this Entry

“Spiraling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiraling. Accessed 26 May. 2026.

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