as in coils
to follow a circular or spiral course
a narrow road spiraling up the mountain to the summit
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Recent Examples of spirals
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
That is, at least until life spirals you into the next higher tier of the lesson.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Claire Foy plays Helen, who spirals emotionally after the death of her photographer father, Alisdair (Brendan Gleeson).
—Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
That is, at least until life spirals you into the next higher tier of the lesson.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Claire Foy plays Helen, who spirals emotionally after the death of her photographer father, Alisdair (Brendan Gleeson).
—Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spirals
Verb
-
Visitors are typically brought by elevator to the uppermost exhibition level and then follow a broad, gently descending ramp that coils around a central void.—
Bridget Borgobello
May 30,
New Atlas,
30 May 2026
-
When startled, the snake coils its body into a figure-eight shape or raises its tail to mimic another head and confuse predators.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
The addition is in the same style as the original, defined by curves that echo the surrounding landscape and materials including concrete, cedar, and copper.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
-
The league’s largest and most expensive arena and the site of the Super Bowl, SoFi, just outside Los Angeles, is overwhelming fans with its sweeping curves and epic scale.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
However, much of the garden pathway that winds through the property is uneven and not ideal for wheelchairs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
All of these popular spots sit right off Route 1, the coastal alternative road that winds through the state and hugs the Atlantic from the southern border with New Hampshire all the way north to the Canadian border.—
Jacqueline Dole,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
This serum is giving me lightweight, bouncy, shiny curls WITHOUT the oily feeling/look.—
Emma Greene,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
-
In the clip, Charlie plays with his hair and even does a full 360 spin to show off his curls for the camera.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The galaxy's heart shines brightly in the image, with gleaming rays of light radiating from its center while gas and dust swirls around.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
-
Longoria’s approach to the wild fervour that continually swirls around the Velodrome was to try to harness it by hiring comparably combustible coaches like Jorge Sampaoli, Igor Tudor, Gennaro Gattuso and De Zerbi.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
They’re never getting rid of the over-saturation of idols and advantages and twists.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
-
The procedural twists and turns have been closely watched by city residents and Little Village community members who protested and mourned in the wake of Toledo’s shooting.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spirals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spirals. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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