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
Inflation has caught up with book publishing Hardcover books now cost $30 and up, with special editions even higher, as publishers raise prices to keep up with spiraling input costs. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 15 June 2026 Guests ascend via a spiraling ramp set on towering wooden beams before emerging into an open-air dining space above the park. Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2026 When our main character starts lowering her defenses, however, that’s when she’s hit by a jolt that sends her spiraling. Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 The price hikes come at a time when spiraling anxiety about the cost of living is colliding with accelerating inflation, largely driven by higher energy costs related to the war with Iran. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 June 2026 But colleagues’ cattiness and her own insecurity dredge up traumatic memories and send her spiralling into bulimia. Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 Currently, the government allocates weekly subsidies to avoid passing on the rising cost of fuel to the population and prevent spiraling inflation. ABC News, 11 June 2026 In May, the brazen murder of a small-city mayor, allegedly by the CJNG, prompted angry protests targeting symbols of the state, which many residents accused of failing to combat spiraling violence. CBS News, 11 June 2026 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
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
  • The application from Glas, which also included menthol and tobacco-flavored vapes, followed a winding path to authorization.
    Matthew Perrone, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • The iconic winding road from the painting’s title twists and sweeps through hills of blue, purple and pink.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 12 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spiraling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiraling. Accessed 16 Jun. 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