as in spiral
turning around an axis like the thread of a screw
Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, travels a helical path through space
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Recent Examples of helical
Quantum simulation helped reveal that the cause for the unusual topology was a helical pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect.
—
Paul Smith-Goodson,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2026
The two twisted helical stair stringers that support the treads are the structural beams that support the stairs and anyone going up and down them.
—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
3 Jan. 2026
The team designed a soft, airless wheel that features elastic steel strips in a woven, crossed-helical pattern.
—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Dec. 2025
Closer to the galaxy's core, the jet takes on a helical form.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Paul Smith-Goodson,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2026
The two twisted helical stair stringers that support the treads are the structural beams that support the stairs and anyone going up and down them.
—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
3 Jan. 2026
The team designed a soft, airless wheel that features elastic steel strips in a woven, crossed-helical pattern.
—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Dec. 2025
Closer to the galaxy's core, the jet takes on a helical form.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for helical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helical
Adjective
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Our planet sits along one of the galaxy’s spiral arms, about halfway from the center, according to NASA.
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Things rapidly spiral out of control for the quartet as a waking nightmare, filled with ghostly figures and sudden disappearances, unfolds.
Adjective
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But what once looked like a potential breakout career in San Francisco has instead become a winding journey through multiple organizations, with the latest chapter ending after a short stay in the Dodgers' system.
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As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.
Cite this Entry
“Helical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helical. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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