roll·er-coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 
ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-
: marked by numerous ups and downs
an entertainer's roller-coaster career
roll·er coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
1
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll
2
: something resembling a roller coaster
especially
: behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes
an emotional roller coaster
Examples of roller-coaster in a Sentence
Noun
We went for a ride on the roller coaster.
The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.
Recent Examples on the Web
Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys did not go as planned, as the team finished a roller-coaster season with a 7-9-1 record.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Supercharged closed last year in Hollywood, and is set to close in the near future in Florida to make way for the Orlando park's upcoming version of the Hollywood Drift roller coaster featuring a 170-foot-tall vertical spike of track.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
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Adjective
There were plenty of crucial moments in Boise State basketball’s roller-coaster 91-87 overtime win on Tuesday night over the Nevada Wolf Pack.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys did not go as planned, as the team finished a roller-coaster season with a 7-9-1 record.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
New details have emerged about the first-of-its-kind ride coming to Six Flags Magic Mountain that will take thrill-seekers on an off-road motorcycle ride over rugged hillside terrain when the new roller coaster debuts in 2027.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Feb. 2026
Supercharged closed last year in Hollywood, and is set to close in the near future in Florida to make way for the Orlando park's upcoming version of the Hollywood Drift roller coaster featuring a 170-foot-tall vertical spike of track.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roller-coaster
Cite this Entry
“Roller-coaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roller-coaster. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
roller coaster
noun
roll·er coast·er
ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər
ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-
: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) with sharp curves and steep slopes on which cars roll
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