spire

noun

Definition of spirenext
as in spiral

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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 spire The Empire State Building and its ornate Art Deco spire proved to be the most challenging part. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026 What this means in practice is that the coaster car climbs up a vertical hill before hurtling around 1,230 feet of track culminating in a vertical spire. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina A 315-foot granite rock spire serves as the centerpiece of this state park near Asheville. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026 On July 1, Russian daredevils climbed to the tip of the building's spire before getting engaged, and then arrested. — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for spire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spire
  1. spiral
  2. whorl
  3. coil
  4. hank
  5. curl
Noun
  • This adaptation spiral can continue even as economic and human losses mount.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • If interest expense exceeds nominal GDP growth, a debt spiral could occur.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of spiral
Noun
  • Visually, the result was a restlessly fluctuating Technicolor whorl.
    — Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Blue, purple, or white whorls of flowers rise above the strappy foliage in summer.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 5 May 2026
Definition of whorl
Noun
  • Tokamaks rely partly on electric currents flowing through the plasma to help keep it confined, while stellarators use complex arrangements of external magnetic coils to create a three-dimensional magnetic field.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike quiches, frittatas are crustless, but this version doesn’t skimp on satisfying carbs, thanks to coils of spaghetti that become crisp and caramelized on the edges and soft and fluffy in the eggy center.
    — Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of coil
Noun
  • Kim lets out a sob and a hank of Natalie’s hair clings to her tears.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025
  • There was no one else on the strand, the surf a sickly yellow foam bubbling between the matted black hanks of seaweed heaped on the beach.
    — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Apr. 2022
Definition of hank
Noun
  • On October 24, 2006, Taylor Swift was released—the debut album by a 16-year-old with blonde curls, cowboy boots, and a special talent for turning heartbreak into hits.
    — Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Her hair was styled by John Novotny with a side part and long, cascading soft curls.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of curl

Browse Nearby Words

spirals
spire
spired
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Cite this Entry

“Spire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spire. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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