spiral
noun
a plane curve generated by a point moving around a fixed point while constantly receding from or approaching it.
was spiraling
-
past progressiveof spiral.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That COVID-colored stretch also produced the only overall records under .500 posted by the conference since 1983 and contributed to the perception that the Pac-12 was spiraling toward oblivion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2024
Algeria was spiraling into chaos and extremist violence, and Nezzar emerged as the strongman in the junta.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 29, 2023
After his arraignment, Santos was spiraling in his public remarks.
From Slate ● May 13, 2023
“Friends” lasted 10 seasons, and Perry was spiraling for most of them, according to his new memoir, the grimly funny, mostly unvarnished and frequently proctological “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing.”
From Washington Post ● Oct. 29, 2022
His life was spiraling toward the brink with awful speed.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
