downward spiral

American  

[doun-werd spahy-ruhl] / ˈdaʊn wərd ˈspaɪ rəl /

noun

1. a continuous, usually rapid negative trend, especially one with a repeated and worsening cycle of events or states.

   The more I doubted myself, the more confused I became, in a vicious downward spiral.

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Etymology

Origin of downward spiral

First recorded in 1870–80

Example Sentences

That creates such a difficult downward spiral for a defence.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

Downtowns across the country need to find solutions, experts warn, as dark storefronts can lead to a downward spiral, with companies hesitant to lease office space in vacant areas.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026

These pressures can trigger what scientists call an "extinction vortex," a downward spiral in which shrinking populations and worsening genetic health reinforce each other and push species closer to extinction.

From Science Daily • Mar. 6, 2026

Then, Santos-Aviles’ husband said in an interview that he’d caught wind of the affair and confronted Gonzales about it, after which Gonzales “black-sheeped” his wife at work, sending her into a downward spiral.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

It was how bitter and cynical Mom had become, and Marcus’s downward spiral, and my not being able to get over Jesse and give Diego a fair chance.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson