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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of spiral
Alan Nichol, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Agency decay manifests across the aspirational, emotional and intellectual realm, directly shaping our behavior, Which perpetuates the spiral that derives us ever deeper into artificial dependency.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Antonio Maria Delgado
july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
And rather than allowing their season to spiral, the Cubs kept competing.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
The spiral online is a little less scary when stress is channeled into actions, too, Mona Eshaiker, a licensed therapist, previously told USA TODAY.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Verb
Conversations derail, users lose trust and costs spiral.
—Alan Nichol, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Agency decay manifests across the aspirational, emotional and intellectual realm, directly shaping our behavior, Which perpetuates the spiral that derives us ever deeper into artificial dependency.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
Adjective
Venezuela is spiraling once more into an inflationary storm as new data warns that price increases could skyrocket to 530% in 2025, fueled by a collapsing currency, oil export disruptions and mounting political and economic isolation.
—Antonio Maria Delgado
july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
And rather than allowing their season to spiral, the Cubs kept competing.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Noun
On the other side, a bar with a tall, glowing wine display.
Up a spiral stone staircase, diners will find an open kitchen and spacious seating area with panoramic views of the city.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
The spiral online is a little less scary when stress is channeled into actions, too, Mona Eshaiker, a licensed therapist, previously told USA TODAY.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
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Aphids, squash bugs, and spider mites can suck a cucumber plant’s sap and cause the leaves to yellow, brown, or curl.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 July 2025
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Cyrus pulled her dark brown tresses into the half-up, half-down hairdo, leaving her short, thick fringe flat against her forehead while longer side pieces curled in front of her ears.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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In addition, the watch has a stop-second function, which halts the balance wheel and seconds hand when the winding crown is pulled out, allowing for precise time adjustments.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 90 about 30 miles outside of New Orleans — on a winding, narrow stretch of the two-lane highway known as the Old Spanish Trail, per The Salina Journal.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
29 June 2025
Noun
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These elements are reflected in the use of subtle curves mimicking the form of the waves; a material palette of light plasters, soothing beige tones, and warm metals; and a contemporary and modern design approach aligned with Dubai’s future.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
25 July 2025
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Sinker was great; changeup was good; slider, curve, everything was working.—
Cameron Priester,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, a Central Texas woman was bitten by a rat snake coiled under her toilet seat in December.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 July 2025
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Her long brown hair is coiled into a bun atop her head, and a thick wall of bangs grazes the edge of her straight eyebrows.—
Julie Kim,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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Turning those nutrients into domestic fertilizers not only cuts cost and waste but also reinforces a circular economy that strengthens regional supply chains and reduces reliance on global imports.—
Ryan Begin,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There were 12 to 15 circular nests easily visible within about a 10-by-15-foot area next to the shore, with each one being guarded by a male pumpkinseed swimming in place in the middle of each nest.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Its eponymous flowers are deep red-orange and the foliage is composed of whorls of needle-like, silvery-blue leaves.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
7 June 2025
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But in Chile 28 percent of kids had a counterclockwise whorl.—
Bethany Brookshire,
Scientific American,
31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Another hidden gem, Castello di Velona, offers a delightful stay, tucked behind ancient gates on the commune’s winding roads.—
Jenn Rice,
Vogue,
22 July 2025
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Normally, stators are wound using manual coil insertion or complex lacing machines.—
Joe Salas
July 19,
New Atlas,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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These consist of arrays of small antennas, each fed with a signal at a shifted phase to create the helical wave.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Apr. 2012
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Researchers also noted helical fiber structures in the cartilage, the twisting patterns of collagen helping prevent cracks from spreading.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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