spiraling downward

USAGE SUMMARY

"spiraling downward" is a valid phrase in written English and can be used to describe a downward movement in a gradual and continuous way.
For example, "The company's stock prices have been spiraling downward since the news of the scandal broke."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

optimism is spiraling downward".

The New York Times

AFGHANISTAN is spiraling downward.

The New York Times

And bad — the spiraling downward part.

The New York Times

It was really in trouble �� and spiraling downward.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cautioned that the economy was still spiraling downward on many fronts.

The New York Times

Officials at the university began to worry about those installments when Enron started spiraling downward.

The New York Times

Analysts said Mr. Greenspan seemed intent on signaling that the economy was not spiraling downward.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, my eyesight kept spiraling downward, finally settling at a miserable -8.5.

The New York Times - Science

Her precarious health, which had been spiraling downward, appears to have rebounded in recent months.

The Washington Post

A video posted online appeared to show the attack, with the helicopter spiraling downward in flames.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"You're either spiraling downward," he said, "or you're spiraling upward".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spiraling downward" to describe a situation that is worsening in a continuous and often accelerating manner. It implies a loss of control and increasing negativity.

Common error

While versatile, "spiraling downward" can sometimes be too figurative for highly formal or technical writing. In those cases, consider more neutral terms like "decreasing" or "declining".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spiraling downward" functions as a verb phrase and adverb, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is occurring. As Ludwig confirms, it denotes a continuous and worsening decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "spiraling downward" is a versatile phrase used to describe a continuous and often accelerating decline. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and implies a situation is becoming increasingly negative. It's most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific and business contexts. When writing, consider whether the figurative language is appropriate for your audience. While "spiraling downward" is widely understood, more formal situations might demand alternatives such as "decreasing" or "declining". Overall, the meaning of "spiraling downward" is well-established, making it a useful addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declining rapidly

Focuses on the speed of the decline.

deteriorating sharply

Emphasizes the severity of the deterioration.

plummeting downwards

Uses a more abrupt and forceful image of falling.

descending quickly

Highlights the speed of descent.

falling exponentially

Indicates an accelerating rate of decline.

slipping into decline

Suggests a gradual and perhaps unnoticed descent.

heading for disaster

Points towards a catastrophic outcome.

going downhill fast

An informal expression for rapid decline.

on a downward trajectory

Focuses on the direction and path of the decline.

taking a turn for the worse

Suggests a sudden and negative change in condition.

FAQs

How can I use "spiraling downward" in a sentence?

You can use "spiraling downward" to describe a variety of situations where something is worsening continuously. For example, "The company's profits were "spiraling downward" after the scandal" or "His mental health was "spiraling downward" due to stress".

What are some alternatives to "spiraling downward"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "declining rapidly", "deteriorating sharply", or "plummeting downwards". Choose the phrase that best captures the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "spiraling downward" or "spiraling downwards"?

Both "spiraling downward" and "spiraling downwards" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or regional usage, with "spiraling downward" being slightly more common.

What does "spiraling downward" imply about the situation it describes?

"Spiraling downward" suggests a continuous and often accelerating decline. It implies a loss of control and a situation that is becoming increasingly negative, often leading to an undesirable outcome.