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
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Five teams move up a spot in roller-coaster season, while Mother McAuley enters the rankings.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Kayti Burt, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
This led me to live on a roller coaster without brakes.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for roller-coaster 
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Adjective
Pivetta was solid with the Red Sox, but his 2024 season was quite a roller-coaster ride.
—Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
Five teams move up a spot in roller-coaster season, while Mother McAuley enters the rankings.
—Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
Given the life-or-death themes of the romance, Queen of Tears is a roller coaster ride of emotions.
—Kayti Burt, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
This led me to live on a roller coaster without brakes.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for roller-coaster
Dictionary Entries Near roller-coaster
Cite this Entry
“Roller-coaster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roller-coaster. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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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