roll·er-coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 
ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-
: marked by numerous ups and downs
an entertainer's roller-coaster career
roll·er coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
1
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll
2
: something resembling a roller coaster
especially
: behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes
an emotional roller coaster
Examples of roller-coaster in a Sentence
Noun
We went for a ride on the roller coaster.
The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.
Recent Examples on the Web
Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
The announcement, posted by Musk on X Friday afternoon, capped off a weird day of reports and counter-reports that sent Tesla’s stock on a roller-coaster ride, slipping down 6 points on the day before recovering in after-hours trading.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
At the top of a roller-coaster hill in Highland Park, Thomas Zamora and his husband, Raul Rojas, enjoy two spectacular views — of the Pasadena hills to the east and of the meandering expanse of native plants, succulents and vegetables in a backyard that once was nothing but dirt and junk cars.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Following a roller-coaster conversation about the succession plan for the city’s top administrator, the commission voted 6-1 to appoint Williams and pursue a search to take no longer than six months.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
With its roller-coaster feel, it’s often named as a favorite track among drivers.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
The roller-coaster ride hasn’t stopped, but Segarra’s learned to appreciate that their grief, too, is an expression of love.
—Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024
The Texas Panhandle is no stranger to face-blasting winds nor roller-coaster dips in temperature.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024
George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024
After four roller coaster years, Monemetrics was renamed Renaissance Technologies.
—Jonathan Kandell, New York Times, 10 May 2024
Others are reading:The G-force on Indiana Beach's newest roller coaster is insane; how to be first to ride it
Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 May 2024
Not even a roller coaster can emancipate Mimi from her signature diva essence.
—EW.com, 3 May 2024
Thursday has been a roller coaster day for jobs in Lincoln County.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2024
Theme parks were nominated for this award by a panel of 10 experts, mostly travel writers and content creators who specialize in theme parks and roller coasters.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
The roller coaster train moves forward and backward at speeds up to 36 mph over 1,400 feet of track and reaches an apex of 73½ feet.
—The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
Ronnie's life has been a roller coaster since his split with Sammi.
—Chris Jordan, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Bitcoin prices have been on a roller-coaster ride over the past few months.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
The announcement, posted by Musk on X Friday afternoon, capped off a weird day of reports and counter-reports that sent Tesla’s stock on a roller-coaster ride, slipping down 6 points on the day before recovering in after-hours trading.
—Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 6 Apr. 2024
At the top of a roller-coaster hill in Highland Park, Thomas Zamora and his husband, Raul Rojas, enjoy two spectacular views — of the Pasadena hills to the east and of the meandering expanse of native plants, succulents and vegetables in a backyard that once was nothing but dirt and junk cars.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Following a roller-coaster conversation about the succession plan for the city’s top administrator, the commission voted 6-1 to appoint Williams and pursue a search to take no longer than six months.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
As a group, HQ Portfolio stocks provided better returns with less risk versus the benchmark index; less of a roller-coaster ride as evident in HQ Portfolio performance metrics.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
With its roller-coaster feel, it’s often named as a favorite track among drivers.
—Brad Spurgeon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024
The roller-coaster ride hasn’t stopped, but Segarra’s learned to appreciate that their grief, too, is an expression of love.
—Jeff Gage, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2024
The Texas Panhandle is no stranger to face-blasting winds nor roller-coaster dips in temperature.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
State budgeting in California is a constant roller coaster ride because of our volatile, outdated tax system.
—George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024
After four roller coaster years, Monemetrics was renamed Renaissance Technologies.
—Jonathan Kandell, New York Times, 10 May 2024
Others are reading:The G-force on Indiana Beach's newest roller coaster is insane; how to be first to ride it
Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar.
—John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 May 2024
Not even a roller coaster can emancipate Mimi from her signature diva essence.
—EW.com, 3 May 2024
Thursday has been a roller coaster day for jobs in Lincoln County.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2024
Theme parks were nominated for this award by a panel of 10 experts, mostly travel writers and content creators who specialize in theme parks and roller coasters.
—Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024
The roller coaster train moves forward and backward at speeds up to 36 mph over 1,400 feet of track and reaches an apex of 73½ feet.
—The Enquirer, 17 Apr. 2024
Ronnie's life has been a roller coaster since his split with Sammi.
—Chris Jordan, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roller-coaster.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near roller-coaster
Cite this Entry
“Roller-coaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roller-coaster. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
roller coaster
noun
roll·er coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) with sharp curves and steep slopes on which cars roll
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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