downward spiral
noun
: a situation in which something continuously decreases or gets worse
Her life was in a downward spiral as she battled depression and addiction.
Examples of downward spiral in a Sentence
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Amid its downward spiral against the backdrop of an industry downturn and challenging economic environment, Yale has come under intense scrutiny, both from creditors and onetime employees, with various sources making allegations of financial mismanagement and deceptive fundraising practices.
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 June 2025
Drake’s too concerned with clutching onto the zeitgeist to self-reflect, but going full-throttle into this world is only a downward spiral.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2025
With no nuclear negotiations in sight and U.S. sanctions still in place, Iran's currency is expected to continue its downward spiral.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
In the most severe scenario, this downward spiral might even raise the possibility of a U.S. debt default that would create market turmoil exceeding that of the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 June 2025
Drake’s too concerned with clutching onto the zeitgeist to self-reflect, but going full-throttle into this world is only a downward spiral.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2025
With no nuclear negotiations in sight and U.S. sanctions still in place, Iran's currency is expected to continue its downward spiral.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
In the most severe scenario, this downward spiral might even raise the possibility of a U.S. debt default that would create market turmoil exceeding that of the 2008-2009 financial crisis.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for downward spiral
Cite this Entry
“Downward spiral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downward%20spiral. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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