downward spiral
noun
: a situation in which something continuously decreases or gets worse
Her life was in a downward spiral as she battled depression and addiction.
Examples of downward spiral in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Australia’s relations with its biggest trading partner China has gone through a downward spiral in recent years.
—
Alena Botros, Fortune Asia, 17 June 2024
Leaders, too, have also credited more than a decade of inadequate state funding for pushing Flint's schools into a downward spiral.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
Movies and television have offered a front-row seat to his lacerating wit and his downward spiral.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
As violence and drugs spill onto RTD’s buses and trains, agency works to make transit safer
Leaders of the Greater Denver Transit grassroots advocacy group contend poor service could trigger a downward spiral in ridership.
—Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for downward spiral 
Alena Botros, Fortune Asia, 17 June 2024
Leaders, too, have also credited more than a decade of inadequate state funding for pushing Flint's schools into a downward spiral.
—Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 23 Apr. 2024
Movies and television have offered a front-row seat to his lacerating wit and his downward spiral.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
As violence and drugs spill onto RTD’s buses and trains, agency works to make transit safer
Leaders of the Greater Denver Transit grassroots advocacy group contend poor service could trigger a downward spiral in ridership.
—Bruce Finley, The Denver Post, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for downward spiral
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'downward spiral.' 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 downward spiral
Cite this Entry
“Downward spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward%20spiral. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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