as in to curl
to follow a circular or spiral course
a narrow road spiraling up the mountain to the summit
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in winding
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
a spiral staircase takes visitors up into the Statue of Liberty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiral
James C. Clark, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
The decline in condo deals in South Florida also is rooted in spiraling costs, including insurance, monthly association dues and steep or surprising repair assessments.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
Scientists still don't know why galaxies like this one take on this spiral shape, in part because of the sheer diversity of other examples.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 9 May 2025
Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
But as the conflict spirals, with decades of animosity between the countries and powerful nuclear arsenals pointed at one another, the administration has now signaled it would get involved.
—Christopher Shays, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Verb
The housing bubble had burst and the nation’s economy was spiraling downward.
—James C. Clark, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2025
The decline in condo deals in South Florida also is rooted in spiraling costs, including insurance, monthly association dues and steep or surprising repair assessments.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025
Adjective
Sales are logged in a spiral notebook; money changes hands with almost palpable reluctance.
—David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025
Scientists still don't know why galaxies like this one take on this spiral shape, in part because of the sheer diversity of other examples.
—Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
Neither India nor Pakistan really wanted a full-out war, but the spiral of attack and retaliation might have led them there.
—Mihir Sharma, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
But as the conflict spirals, with decades of animosity between the countries and powerful nuclear arsenals pointed at one another, the administration has now signaled it would get involved.
—Christopher Shays, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
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Princess, a senior Chihuahua, rests with her eyes closed and body curled into a tight cocoon, as a frenetic hamster named Ponby stands upright, his eyes bulging.—
Jessie Schiewe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2025
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Video In an intimate scene in which the pair dance, Claire’s arm is bent, her fingers curled into a ballet hand.—
Vincent Tullo,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Newton’s path to jewelry making involved a winding international road.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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After the afternoon prayers, the thunderstorm fading into the distance, a group of girls takes a winding cobblestone path through a thin area of woods and approaches a greenhouse.—
Lindsey McGinnis,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
Noun
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Summer jobs: Chicago Blackhawks’ offseason plans, from Connor Bedard’s speed to Kevin Korchinski’s blade curve Chicago Blackhawks players’ offseason plans include film work, yoga, house hunting and the World Championship.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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His projections were rudimentary by today’s standards, but at the time were ahead of the curve.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
Verb
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After using the Find My app to track her location, Keith found Sherri’s phone lying in the dirt on the side of the road, headphones coiled around several strands of her hair.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2025
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When mamma came back, the cat actually faced off with her and took a swipe, but kept her distance as the snake coiled to strike.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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In 2023, the country held its first Bangladesh Circular Economy Summit, gathering stakeholders from the South Asian nation along with global brands and governmental representatives to work toward a more circular garment industry.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
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Reviewers have noted how smoothly the shuttle descends, gliding down on a circular trajectory and gently touching down.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Something in the interaction of all those whorls and swirls will give the ducks a special boost.—
Joseph Howlett,
Quanta Magazine,
16 May 2025
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Stewart shows her characters largely in close-up, often from odd angles: looking up at a chin, for example, or coming in so close that a single eye or the whorl of an ear fills the screen.—
Stephanie Bunbury,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Verb
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The second image showed a mostly hollow building with the makings of a winding staircase as teams of construction workers toiled away.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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Where to eat and drink in Athens Monument’s location provides a gateway to the tavernas, restaurants and bars that line the winding streets of Athens.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Along with that, the research team also noted helical fiber structures, also with collagen, which suggests the cartilage is designed to prevent any cracks from spreading, and help to distribute staring and force.—
Discover Magazine,
Discover Magazine,
20 May 2025
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Among its features is the tourbillon at 5 o’clock, two six-column wheels to operate the different levers of the split-seconds function, a specific clamp design and a blade instead of the traditional helical spring.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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