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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spiral
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Some critics argue that museums should be even more proactive in communicating when and why artifacts move — to avoid misunderstandings that can quickly spiral into public distrust.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Apr. 2025
Some people may be disappointed by the rational explanation for this spiral light in the night sky.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Asawa is best known for creating a continuous form within a form, but there are a variety of bulbs, gourd-like shapes and spirals.
—Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Verb
To the surprise of no one, things spiral out of control quickly, and without getting into deeper spoilers, a number of moral dilemmas are put in front of the player, who might either doom or save the colonies in the end.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Some critics argue that museums should be even more proactive in communicating when and why artifacts move — to avoid misunderstandings that can quickly spiral into public distrust.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
These weren't tight, spiral ringlets, but a more relaxed, elongated curl with a beachy softness.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 9 Apr. 2025
Some people may be disappointed by the rational explanation for this spiral light in the night sky.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
At the moment, indicators suggest China is in a deflationary spiral and so may not be growing at all.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Asawa is best known for creating a continuous form within a form, but there are a variety of bulbs, gourd-like shapes and spirals.
—Robert Taylor, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiral
Verb
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As the aphids feed on the new leaves and twigs, leaves curl and twigs twist in response to aphid feeding on the sap.—
Pamm Cooper,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
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The musician completed the look with bombshell platinum blonde hair, which was curled into light rings.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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After the afternoon prayers, the thunderstorm fading into the distance, a group of girls takes a winding cobblestone path through a thin area of woods and approaches a greenhouse.—
Lindsey McGinnis,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
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Black Sands’ 12 teak bungalows are just steps from the beach, connected by a winding wooden boardwalk.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Allow Interns To Contribute To Meaningful Projects Junior associates bring fresh perspectives, new ideas and a familiarity with the latest technologies that can help organizations stay ahead of the curve.—
Anne St. Peter,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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Burned by years of inaction on social media, lawmakers in both parties want to get ahead of the curve on AI.—
Matt Robison,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Flood echoed the sentiment of many traders that have said the market appeared coiled for a relief rally because so many hedge funds were caught on the wrong side of this bet.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
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Named after the serpent king from Hindu mythology who coils around Lord Shiva’s neck, Vasuki indicus carries a name as rooted in India as the rocks it was pulled from.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Its monumental circular tower, the largest in the region, boasts ingenious features such as notches designed to pour hot date syrup on invaders.—
Natasha Amar,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Add egg mixture, and cook, stirring gently and scraping bottom of skillet in a circular motion using a rubber spatula, until large curds begin to form and bare spots appear on bottom of skillet, about 45 seconds.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
11 May 2025
Noun
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Other rare finds at the site include a small bronze panther, a mosaic glass spindle whorl, and a tuff — or rock — votive, according to the release.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2025
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The curves and whorls of the 3,000-pound bronze monument evoke billowing sails, crashing waves, and, more abstractly, two hands reaching toward each other.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Listen to this article The Indiana Supreme Court upheld a former Gary teenager’s 110-year prison sentence Wednesday for a 1996 East Chicago triple homicide after years of winding appeals.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2025
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The book will chronicle his parents, as well as his winding journey from childhood into young adulthood.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Nelson’s team can use its magnets to control a helical microrobot with magnetic fields of less than 10 millitesla, a fraction of what’s created in an MRI.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 June 2015
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Unlike standard laser beams that propagate straight, vortex beams twist along their axis, creating a helical wavefront with a distinct ‘null intensity’ region at the center.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiral. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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