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
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
Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Jan. 2026 Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on eight European nations that fiercely oppose his efforts to take Greenland; the bloc is debating how to respond, given that retaliation risks a spiraling economic conflict. Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026 This could spark spiraling inflation, eroding savings and purchasing power, similar to historical crises in Argentina or the Weimar Republic. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026 But what unfolded from that moment on Wednesday night probably wasn’t how Arenas or any Trojan would have envisioned it, as Northwestern, a team previously winless in the Big Ten, spoiled the star freshman’s debut and left USC spiraling with a 74-68 defeat. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 For overnight guests, tailor your thermostat settings to meet their needs without sweating out the rest of the family (or sending your home’s energy efficiency spiraling). Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2026 That ease is exactly what had people in the comments spiraling. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 21 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 But my life was spiraling at this point. Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiraling
Adjective
  • Anya wrote this down in a spiral notebook, in her particular spiked cursive.
    Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Their misadventures spiral into odd, escalating situations that would play better with sharper writing or more adventurous direction.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This super cute manicure features red, coral, and pink wavy stripes going down the middle of each nail like a winding road, while little white hearts and dots dance down the line.
    Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Set the scene Just driving up to the resort sets the tone here with its long, winding driveway, dramatic fountains at the entrance, and luxury cars parked out front.
    Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • In October, Mountbatten-Windsor was ordered to leave the sprawling 30-room Royal Lodge in the heart of the Crown’s Windsor Estate, just outside of London, after his brother King Charles III cast him out of the monarchy over the swirling Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
    Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Kelsea Ballerini channeled Old Hollywood glamour in a form-fitting halter gown drenched in intricate metallic beadwork in shades of gold, bronze, and olive, arranged in swirling, paisley-like patterns with fringe detailing cascading from the skirt and train.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Feb. 2026
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
  • Para-athletes will compete in 79 medal events across six sports, including para alpine skiing, para biathlon, para cross-country skiing, para ice hockey, para snowboarding and wheelchair curling.
    Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Competition gets underway Wednesday with curling action.
    Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The ridges all lean the same way, slanting and curving in from the lower left of the frame, which ESA noted reflects the direction of the prevailing wind in this region.
    Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2026
  • This results in plasma flows curving backward instead of expanding freely, and old plasma is pushed sideways, forming long, wispy tails.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Maggie Daley Park Chicago The quarter-mile outdoor skating ribbon in Maggie Daley Park—with 27,500 feet of ice surface—is a looping path with slight elevation changes that curves past pine trees, a rock climbing wall, and a gorgeous city view.
    Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spiraling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiraling. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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