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
Tesfaye’s darkest work to this point, Echoes benefits from its place in the Trilogy: the final act of a slow but inevitable descent through the downward spiral.
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Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
Why Warriors do this The Warriors are on a downward spiral.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Although Linda pushes back, the therapist calls BS, and the mom continues on a downward spiral of shame and guilt.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
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.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for downward spiral 
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Matthew Ismael Ruiz, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2025
Why Warriors do this The Warriors are on a downward spiral.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Although Linda pushes back, the therapist calls BS, and the mom continues on a downward spiral of shame and guilt.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025
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.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025
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 22 Feb. 2025.
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