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
This then causes a downward spiral into desperation and hopelessness, which can lead to financial or even physical harm for the person and those around them.
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Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
The urgency in getting parents to lock up their firearms and keeping weapons away from troubled children comes as youth mental health took a downward spiral during the pandemic and has struggled to recover.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025
Within weeks, a dispute with Turkey sent his popularity ratings into a downward spiral, underscoring the uneasy nature of the relationship between the Aegean neighbors.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Health issues reduce financial stability and can create a downward spiral in your quality of life and your finances.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downward spiral 
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Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
The urgency in getting parents to lock up their firearms and keeping weapons away from troubled children comes as youth mental health took a downward spiral during the pandemic and has struggled to recover.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2025
Within weeks, a dispute with Turkey sent his popularity ratings into a downward spiral, underscoring the uneasy nature of the relationship between the Aegean neighbors.
—Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025
Health issues reduce financial stability and can create a downward spiral in your quality of life and your finances.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for downward spiral
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 6 Feb. 2025.
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