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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiral
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024
But inevitably, when the enthusiasm fades, anxiety spirals further, or real life gets in the way, our plans fall apart.
—Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Sophie Lou Jacobsen + Etagere Spiral Nickel-Plated Coasters (Set of 8)
$150
Net-A-Porter
An instant classic, these spiral coasters from Sophie Lou Jacobsen will add shine to any tablescape.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
This underground marvel spirals downwards, with walls lined with some of the world’s rarest wines, creating an enchanting display of history and luxury.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiral 
Verb
Seymour reportedly charged down the jet bridge with an airline employee attempting to intervene in the spiraling situation.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024
But inevitably, when the enthusiasm fades, anxiety spirals further, or real life gets in the way, our plans fall apart.
—Shira Gill, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
But in Uzumaki, with something as seemingly harmless as the spiral shape, Ito constantly undermines and then exceeds our expectations.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024
Sophie Lou Jacobsen + Etagere Spiral Nickel-Plated Coasters (Set of 8)
$150
Net-A-Porter
An instant classic, these spiral coasters from Sophie Lou Jacobsen will add shine to any tablescape.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024
Noun
As auroras form, Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that have fascinated humans for millennia.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
This underground marvel spirals downwards, with walls lined with some of the world’s rarest wines, creating an enchanting display of history and luxury.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
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In the second half, rookie forward Avery Patterson cut the ball past Bay’s backline and curled the ball to find the back of the net to rest the game to a 2-2 standstill.Jackie Gutierrez, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
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But instead of the ends of the hair curling in, Gomez's hair is styled outward.Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Making my way to some more winding, enjoyable roads, the pace picked up and the thin-rimmed steering wheel started to soften in my hands, communicating every detail of the road without any of the dullness associated with modern power assist.Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
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Another long and winding answer followed — about affordability, regulations, building her own home, the virtues of shop class — before Gluesenkamp Perez finally expressed concern the proposal could merely end up boosting housing costs.Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Using flowing yet distorted elements — from the walls to the furniture and even the oversized circular light fixture — the store is meant to mirror the signature curves of the brand’s eyewear.Thomas Waller, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
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Keeler: Nix’s NFL curve reminds me of a young Labrador retriever.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The large nonvenomous constrictor captures its prey by ambushing it before coiling around it.Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024
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Despite its name, what this place has is the widest variety of börek, flaky pastry topped with seeds and coiled around fillings like feta, spinach, and potato.Betsy Andrews, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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What’s more, the handrail came with circular flange plates that are screwed to the wall.Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 30 Nov. 2024
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The circular pouch is compact but shaped just right to double as a wallet or house tiny travel essentials like earbuds, lip balm, and eye drops.Jane Sung, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The best option would be to reach out, with or without permission, to touch the picture’s surface, tracing the whorls and the smeared grooves.Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
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Round, weighted objects that are attached to a spindle stick, spindle whorls form a similar wheel-and-axle-like device to help the spindle rotate faster and longer, enabling it to efficiently gather up fibers such as wool or flax and spin them into yarn.Etgar Lefkovits, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The wildly popular attraction, which winds through a mile of the tightly packed urban garden, includes tens of thousands of glittering LED lights, special drinks and more.John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
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The facility, with its winding paths surrounded by greenery, serves as a place to learn about and appreciate nature while getting a respite from the rush of city life.Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Why animals construct helical burrows: Construction vs. post-construction benefits University of Florida.Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
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The choice to use helical teeth instead of standard teeth was made to improve load distribution and to reduce operating noise.New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near spiral
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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