spiral
Coil expanding continuously
A spiral is a curve that winds outward from a center point, like a snail shell, or winds around a central axis, like a corkscrew or staircase.
Things arranged this way spiral: Smoke spiraled upward.
Figuratively, spiral suggests rapid escalation, usually downward: The economy spiraled out of control, a spiral into depression.
Costs and violence can spiral, meaning they increase in a self-reinforcing way.
Wound circular arrangement
- helixSpiraling three-dimensional curve
- corkscrewTool for opening bottles
- curlSpiral or loop form
- whorlSpiral arrangement of ridges
twist · loop · ring · curve · winding · serpentine · conical · cylindrical
Rotate rapidly, often playfully
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- rotateTurn about an axis
- revolveTurn around center
- gyrateMove in spirals
pirouette · corkscrew · wind · curve · circle · loop · orbit · whirl
Spread out from rolled
- tendrilCoiling plant appendage
- vineTrailing climbing plant
- fernSpore-spreading vascular plant
- fiddleheadUnfurling fern frond
shell · nautilus · snail · horn · tusk · curl · coil · whorl
Rotating water formation
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- tornadoViolent rotating windstorm
- maelstromViolent whirlpool or upheaval
- typhoonWestern Pacific hurricane
hurricane · swirl · eddy · twister · funnel · whirlwind · waterspout · gyre
Purine nucleobase in DNA
- thymineDNA nitrogen base
- cytosinePyrimidine nucleobase in genetics
- guaninePurine nucleobase in DNA
- nucleotideGenetic code subunit
chromosome · genome · replication · transcription · genetics · heredity · genomics · polymerase
Toward a lower position
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- collapseSudden structural failure
- downturnEconomic decline period
regression · decay · degeneration · worsening · tailspin · nosedive · freefall · plummet
Increase in degree
- snowballCompressed winter precipitation
- amplifyIncrease in strength
- surgeSudden powerful increase
- accelerateIncrease in velocity
compound · exacerbate · worsen · mounting · runaway · inflation · skyrocket · ballooning
coil
Wound circular arrangement
whorl · twist · loop · ring · curve · winding · serpentine · conical · cylindrical · spring
twirl
Rotate rapidly, often playfully
gyrate · pirouette · corkscrew · wind · curve · circle · loop · orbit · whirl · turn
unfurl
Spread out from rolled
fiddlehead · shell · nautilus · snail · horn · tusk · curl · coil · whorl · unfold
whirlpool
Rotating water formation
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- tornadoViolent rotating windstorm
- maelstromViolent whirlpool or upheaval
typhoon · hurricane · swirl · eddy · twister · funnel · whirlwind · waterspout · gyre · suction
adenine
Purine nucleobase in DNA
nucleotide · chromosome · genome · replication · transcription · genetics · heredity · genomics · polymerase · sequencing
downward
Toward a lower position
- descentDownward slope or lineage
- deteriorationProcess of declining quality
- collapseSudden structural failure
downturn · regression · decay · degeneration · worsening · tailspin · nosedive · freefall · plummet · unraveling
intensify
Increase in degree
accelerate · compound · exacerbate · worsen · mounting · runaway · inflation · skyrocket · ballooning · multiplying
spiralstraight
Not curved or crooked
linear · straight line · direct · rectilinear · uncoiled
- rebellious spiritDisposition against compliance
- free spiritUninhibited, unconventional person
- team spiritShared enthusiasm among members
- in spiritPresent emotionally, not physically
- downward spiralSelf-reinforcing deterioration
- holiday spiritSeasonal goodwill and merriment
spirit, inspire, spire, spiraling, conspire, spirals, spiraled, transpire, spirally