Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
death-spiral
noun
/ˈdɛθ ˌspaɪrəl/
Definition
A situation in which a declining entity or system leads to further decline or failure, often in a self-reinforcing manner.
Examples
- The company’s revenue loss created a death spiral that led to layoffs, further affecting productivity.
- As the ecosystem becomes more polluted, fish populations face a death spiral, with fewer resources leading to greater decline.
- The nation’s debt crisis has put it in a death spiral, making it hard to attract investors.
Meaning
The term ‘death-spiral’ typically refers to a process where a negative trend accelerates itself, making recovery increasingly difficult.
Synonyms
- downward spiral
- vicious cycle
- negative feedback loop
