spiral 1 of 3

spiral

2 of 3

adjective

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

spiral

3 of 3

noun

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spiral
Verb
It’s centered around the base of a cerulean alpine lake, with a charming village filled with coffee shops and restaurants, and a network of hiking and biking trails spiraling out in all directions. Todd Plummer, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024 During the five-day February 2021 freeze, spiraling wholesale prices led ERCOT to overcharge its customers by more than $4.2 billion. Ed Hirs, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Find these regions by looking for the pink dots along the spiral arms. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 His notebook entries Authorities recovered a spiral notebook from Mangione when he was arrested, two law enforcement sources told CBS News. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 12 Dec. 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, 27 Nov. 2024 The only solution to ending the propaganda spiral is by telling the truth. Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for spiral 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
  • Heinola sought to key a breakout, then curled to the left wing boards — the far side from the bench — before trying a pass that didn’t work.
    Murat Ates, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Traditionally, ribbons are curled using scissors—a quick process that involves dragging the sharp edge of a blade along one side of the ribbon to create tension and form curls.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • These locations give them better visibility but also provide winding advantages.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 19 Dec. 2024
  • After a warm welcome, you’ll be led down a winding brick pathway dotted with bougainvillea to one of ten private red and white bungalows, each decked out with a full kitchen, comfy beds, and a balcony that’s perfect for star gazing and listening to the whistling tree frogs.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, managers constantly seek ways to stay ahead of the curve.
    Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The boom in hair perfume might be another area where the French are ahead of the curve.
    Ana Morales, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The large nonvenomous constrictor captures its prey by ambushing it before coiling around it.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024
  • 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
  • Key benefits of circular economy models include: Cost Efficiency: Circular systems reduce dependency on raw materials, insulating businesses from volatile commodity prices.
    Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Video footage shows the former President skillfully using a circular saw.
    Michael Graff, Axios, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Thus Andy Dixon paints Day-Glo takes on Rococo romances, with sculptural nudes draped in loose tunics cavorting around pleasure gardens dotted with classical statuary; these same motifs are distilled into dainty arabesques and diaphanous whorls in the abstract canvases of Michaela Yearwood-Dan.
    Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024
  • This technique would be similar to how forensic scientists match fingerprints today, by comparing just a few points of interest rather than the entire whorl.
    Adam Czajka, IEEE Spectrum, 29 Aug. 2019
Verb
  • Observing this coming need for power, Amazon, Google, Meta, OpenAI and others have invested billions into everything from solar and wind to advanced nuclear and geothermal.
    Christopher Helman, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • Traffic often clogs the road winding from Española, past the Pueblo de San Ildefonso and up the Pajarito Plateau.
    Abe Streep, The New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • This allows the field strength to remain nearly the same when rotated around the helical axis, improving particle confinement and stability and reducing energy loss.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2024
  • Why animals construct helical burrows: Construction vs. post-construction benefits University of Florida.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near spiral

Cite this Entry

“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

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