spiraling

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "spiraling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used in situations where something increases or decreases rapidly in a circular or winding pattern. Example sentence: The costs of college tuition are spiralling every year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Rather, Washington is getting richer because the intensity of the struggle for influence at the centre of power has a natural tendency to keep spiraling upwards, and influence groups have to spend more on their struggles in the capital just to stand still.

The New York Times

But if this self-interested management is talked through and loosely coordinated, it can be prevented from spiraling into something explicitly zero sum.

The Economist

In particular, he sensibly notes that beleaguered treasuries will not be able to prevent sovereign debt burdens from spiraling out of control unless tax revenues rise.

The Economist

And here's one big reason why:For inflation expectations to begin spiraling upwards, price increases must be sustainable.

The Economist

The country was plagued not only by a sluggish economy but by violent crime (much of it drug-related), poverty, welfare dependency, problematic race relations, and spiraling health costs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Oil accounted for 97% of the national revenue, and the country's population bore the brunt of spiraling inflation, rising food prices, and displacement caused by the oil shutdown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Costs spiralled, investors withdrew backing and the future of the project for long periods hung in the balance.

The Guardian

And when you have 0% inflation that means any rise in wages will see an increase in "real labour costs" but that doesn't meant they are spiralling out of control.

The Guardian - Business

Four years later, their battle with their neighbours, Desmond Hughes and Clare Anderson, has spiralled out of control – and even after a trip to the courts it's still not resolved.

The Guardian

Although an emergency in the Horn of Africa was forecast as early as August 2010, the international community did not respond until almost a year later, by which time the warning signs had spiralled into a humanitarian catastrophe.

The Guardian

Just as credit-fuelled personal debt spiralled out of control because there were no longer high street bank managers who knew the clients, knew the locality, and were able to make intelligent judgments about individual cases, so the sovereign debt world is now devoid of commonsense and balanced judgment in its dealings about nations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "spiraling", ensure the context clearly implies a circular or winding pattern, either literally or figuratively, to maintain accuracy and avoid misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "spiraling" to describe purely linear increases or decreases. Opt for words like "increasing", "decreasing", or "growing" when there's no rotational aspect implied.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "spiraling" is as a verb, specifically the present participle of the verb spiral. It often functions adjectivally, modifying nouns to describe a state of rapid increase or decrease. Ludwig, as confirmed by its examples, supports this usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

58%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spiraling" functions primarily as a verb, describing a rapid and often uncontrolled increase or decrease in a circular or winding pattern. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and encyclopedic sources, reflecting its suitability for both descriptive and analytical writing. While generally neutral, it should be used judiciously to ensure its connotation of rotational movement aligns with the intended meaning. Avoid using "spiraling" to describe purely linear changes; instead, opt for more accurate descriptors like "increasing" or "decreasing".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

escalating

Indicates a gradual increase in intensity or severity.

accelerating

Highlights the increasing speed or rate of change.

worsening

Focuses on the decline or deterioration of a situation.

declining rapidly

Emphasizes the fast pace of the downturn.

rising sharply

Highlights a steep increase or ascent.

getting out of control

Highlights the loss of control.

spinning out of control

Emphasizes a loss of control with a rotational aspect.

careening

Suggests erratic, uncontrolled movement.

plummeting

Indicates a steep and rapid fall.

skyrocketing

Highlights an extremely rapid increase, usually in price or value.

FAQs

How can I use "spiraling" in a sentence?

You can use "spiraling" to describe something that is increasing or decreasing rapidly in a circular or winding pattern. For example, "The company's debt was "spiraling out of control"."

What's the difference between "spiraling" and "escalating"?

"Spiraling" implies a circular or winding movement, while "escalating" simply means increasing in intensity or severity without the circular connotation.

Which is correct, "spiraling costs" or "soaring costs"?

Both "spiraling costs" and "soaring costs" can be correct depending on the intended meaning. "Spiraling costs" suggests a loss of control, like a circle getting bigger, while "soaring costs" implies a rapid, upward increase.

What can I say instead of "spiraling out of control"?

Alternatives include "getting out of control", "spinning out of control", or "careening", depending on the desired nuance.