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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Recent Examples of snowballed In the three decades-plus since, a highly successful restaurant launch has snowballed into one of hospitality’s most recognizable global brands. — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026 What started as isolated demonstrations has quickly snowballed into a season-defining narrative, forcing the WNBA to navigate a level of ideological polarization rarely seen in the league. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 But Carter wasn’t, and from there, without any significant consequences, there the fisticuffs snowballed to the point one defensive skirmish lasted about four minutes before both teams finally got separated. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 That has snowballed in the last couple of years with social media and influencers coming here. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026 The removal of Maelor, however, snowballed into this moment where that character’s absence didn’t allow for that horrific book moment to be realized, so another set of reasons was concocted. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 In recent days, the calls and social media posts have only snowballed. — Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 Primus’ Bay Area cult following snowballed into a deal with Virgin offshoot Caroline Records for their studio debut, 1990’s Frizzle Fry, which established Primus as irresistible genre iconoclasts. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 The inning snowballed from there, with the Sox allowing eight runs on the way to suffering a 9-5 loss in front of 28,657 at Rate Field. — Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for snowballed

Verb

Additionally, writing longer, more detailed descriptions of concerns (over 100 words) significantly increased response rates.

— Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Overall, the budget increased by $720,000 since September 2025, Korfanta said.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of increased

Verb

In 1950, only about 11% of Mission residents would have been considered Latino, according to the California Migration Museum, but by the 1970s, that number had swelled to nearly half.

— Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
The rocks and melted water suddenly swelled the rivers in the valleys below, causing torrents of water that swept buildings, bridges and earth downstream in Tibet and Nepal.

— CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of swelled

Verb

Japan’s 10-year yield reached its highest level since August 1996, while Germany’s benchmark yield rose to a 2011 high.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
The Colorado River also rose briefly just upstream from where Bright Angel Creek empties into the river, in response to the sudden influx of water, according to the river gauge on the geologic survey, but quickly adjusted.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of rose

Verb

China accelerated its domestic chipmaking efforts after Washington tightened restrictions on Huawei Technologies in 2020, cutting the company off from TSMC.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Prince was able to free the ATV and accelerated toward the deputy, striking him and knocking him to the ground.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of accelerated

Verb

Chinese manufacturers have expanded from areas including etching and deposition into ion implantation, inspection and metrology, according to Goldman.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
His father, Charles, had expanded the New Jersey real estate development business his grandfather, a Polish Holocaust survivor, had begun after starting out as a construction laborer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of expanded

Browse Nearby Words

snowball

snowballed

snowballing

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“Snowballed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snowballed. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of snowballed

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