1
as in madhouse
a place of uproar or confusion
with seven kids in the house, it's a circus most of the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event
the media circus that took place outside the courthouse every day of the murder trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circus
Pauline went from tumbling and twirling in the circus to flipping into pools as a competitive diver during her teens.
—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Indeed, some of our oligarchs actually own the circuses.
—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
The 10,000-seat arena has hosted concerts by Cher, Rush, Aerosmith, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Bruce Springsteen and others over the past 25 years, and also has held monster truck shows, pro wrestling performances, circus visits and more on off days.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
There's enough of a circus in Dallas without twin sisters going at it during the offseason.
—
Sean Joseph Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for circus
Staff Author,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Indeed, some of our oligarchs actually own the circuses.
—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
The 10,000-seat arena has hosted concerts by Cher, Rush, Aerosmith, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Bruce Springsteen and others over the past 25 years, and also has held monster truck shows, pro wrestling performances, circus visits and more on off days.
—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
17 June 2026
There's enough of a circus in Dallas without twin sisters going at it during the offseason.
—
Sean Joseph Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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Headphones are often my saving grace in this madhouse.
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In practice, this means a madhouse of multimedia rooms, packed with gurgling videos and useless machines and humanoid bodies.
Noun
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The building hosted many notable events, including the Miss USA pageant in 2001 and 2002, a rally by President Barack Obama, concerts by Prince, Whitney Houston, Ludacris, LL Cool J and many others.
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The store became a sponsor of the Miss World beauty pageant, and John served as a judge for Miss Universe Great Britain, a significant recruiting pipeline for models.
Noun
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Only cars with this pass can access roads near the stadium.
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During that game, fans reported significant delays in reaching the stadium.
Noun
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Trump warns of ‘bedlam’ if no deal US officials have stressed that the framework is performance-based and that Iran’s new ability to sell oil could get rolled back if negotiations aren’t productive.
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The scene isn’t just a powder keg of tension that leads to frenzied bedlam; its cynical depiction of human self-preservation is far more terrifying than any horror movie monster.
Noun
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As a concept, the trucks seem to be inspired by the Freedom Train of the 1976 bicentennial, which carried founding documents and other historical exhibits around the country.
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The exhibit unfolded in partnership with Home of Football, a new cultural destination dedicated to the globally beloved game, which opened in the heart of New York’s design district between Chelsea and Hudson Yards on Monday.
Noun
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With the tattoo tables pushed to the side, the room becomes a coliseum for adults going to war with Beyblades, a children’s toy made popular a quarter of a century ago.
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Knox also fielded letters expressing concerns about Charlotte building a new coliseum, including a full-on campaign by members of the First Baptist Church.
Noun
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The logo of Meta is seen at Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, France, June 11, 2025.
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The stone lantern adorned with deer in Osaka Garden on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry is from the exhibition, and just southeast of there one of the stone structures from the World's Fair is now a Chicago Park District restroom.
Noun
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Earlier this month, another Tennessee highway became the stage for an accidental spectacle when a brake fire on a trailer hauling fireworks ignited its cargo, causing bursts of colorful explosions on Interstate 75 near Chattanooga.
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Before his first full professional season, which began in the minors, a Caglianone batting practice session in spring training could turn into a spectacle.
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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