SPIRALS Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

spirals 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of spiral

as in coils

to follow a circular or spiral course a narrow road spiraling up the mountain to the summit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

straightens

spirals

2 of 2

noun

plural of spiral

as in curves

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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 spirals

Verb

The film, which premiered in competition at Venice Film Festival earlier this month, centers on a mother-daughter relationship that spirals out of control following a shocking revelation. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026 Together, the pair launch an underground fight club that quickly spirals out of control. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026 The mothership series ended tragically for the show’s central character, Damson Idris’ Franklin Saint, who spirals into alcoholism after Teddy McDonald, played by Carter Hudson, is killed by Franklin’s mother (Cissy Saint). — Denise Petski, Deadline, 2 June 2026 Before too long, however, the romantic spell Nikki is under turns into possessive, obsessive and eventually, deadly behavior, which quickly spirals out of control. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026 The tower was designed by the British architecture firm RMJM and features a twisting glass façade that spirals upward into a needle-like spire. — Nathalie Nietzsche-Knappe, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2026 Sure, the stars move relative to one another, our Sun burns through a little more of its fuel, and the Moon slowly spirals away from the Earth as our rotation rate gradually slows down. — Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026 Inside, a central ramp—which spirals upward and outward from one exhibition floor to the next—creates an open interior space, flooded with daylight that pours in through a glass dome. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026 Inspired by true events, The Exiles will tell the story of a desperate Westerner who pursues greener pastures in Asia, instead finding greed, rivalry and ego that ultimately spirals into a shocking murder. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirals

Verb

Refrigerator Coils The condenser coils responsible for keeping your appliance functioning become covered in dust over time.

— Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026
Dry all surfaces completely and replace knobs, drip pans, and coils back on the stove.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

Definition of coils

Noun

These include vehicles stopped in curves, vehicles positioned across multiple lanes, and stationary vehicles sitting at unusual angles, such as those encountered near an earlier roadway incident.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
The back seat was somewhat compromised in headroom and legroom (and torso room, thanks to a giant center console), but the car’s curves more than made up for its flaws—at least, from the driver’s seat.

— Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of curves

Verb

But the sudden evolution of the improbably shaped and hyperabundant broiler chicken will be unmissable because the osseous debris of our fowl hunger—drumsticks and wing bones and oversized sternums—winds its way into landfills.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Chiricahua was originally established as a national monument in 1924, and today boasts more than 17 miles of hiking trails for exploring on foot, as well as the Bonita Canyon Scenic Drive, a picturesque road that winds through rock formations.

— Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of winds

Noun

Joseph Zada Clad in Gucci menswear, Joseph Zada let his curls shine at the London premiere.

— Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Why vintage curly bobs are coming back now Nostalgic hairstyles are everywhere right now, and retro curls are the obvious counter-move to the minimalist styling that owned the last few seasons.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of curls

Verb

But unlike when Kruger first started producing conceptual art some five decades ago, similar language now swirls all around us more than ever.

— Amy Verner, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
Max Martin, Grande sings of blowing through breakups and make-ups and enduring mounting exhaustion with mass notoriety while the music swirls patiently and frequently angrily underneath.

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of swirls

Noun

Still, for fans who spent years rooting for the couple, the wedding-that-almost-was remains one of the show’s most frustrating romantic twists.

— Brian Galindo, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2026
Place the sprouts in a large bowl and toss them with the olive oil, a generous pinch of salt and several twists of pepper.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of twists

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spiraling

spirals

spire

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“Spirals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirals. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of spirals

verb

noun

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