SNOWBALLED Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

snowballed

verb

past tense of snowball

as in increased

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number the little problems we ignored began to snowball into huge headaches

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of snowballed Problems have snowballed due to underperformance from key players and a squad-wide loss of confidence. —

Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026 But exasperation took over, and the goals snowballed into a lopsided loss. —

Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026 The situation snowballed into what many viewed as a fractured relationship between Reese, her teammates and the front office. —

Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 Four years later, the original concept has snowballed into a luxury hotel and working regenerative farm in the same model as South Africa’s Babylonstoren or Somerset’s The Newt, with grander plans still to come. —

Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Then Yuki Matsui tweaked his groin in spring training, some soft contact snowballed on Adrián Morejón and Estrada began losing zip on his fastball. —

Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026 On the other end, James missed consecutive free throws, which snowballed when Flagg followed with a jumper to push Dallas’ advantage back to 10 points. —

Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026 That energy on both ends of the court had snowballed. —

Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 Once the wine was bottled, things snowballed rather quickly. —

Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballed

Verb

The lead times for high-voltage transformers, essential for grid interconnection, have increased to as long as four years.

— Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
On Darlene Lane, the flow of contamination increased in late April and continues to seep into their neighbor’s yard.

— Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 18 May 2026