1
as in stadium
a large usually roofless building for sporting events with tiers of seats for spectators
the Roman circus is believed to have held 50,000 spectators in ancient times
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Biggest of thanks to Sana, Brad, Kevin, Lou, Aaron, Justin, Charlie, Vincent, Deb, Jon and the whole mad circus.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
The book, part of Bradbury’s Green Town trilogy, follows two boys who are lured into a mysterious traveling circus that arrives in their hometown.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Just last night, the couple attended the opening of Smash—a smart musical about the making of a bad one—accompanied by their 15-year-old twins, just old enough to brave the celebrity circus with their parents as chaperones.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
Other rescues have come from Bolivian circuses, an Iowa mall, and a shuttered Puerto Rican zoo.
—Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
The book, part of Bradbury’s Green Town trilogy, follows two boys who are lured into a mysterious traveling circus that arrives in their hometown.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Just last night, the couple attended the opening of Smash—a smart musical about the making of a bad one—accompanied by their 15-year-old twins, just old enough to brave the celebrity circus with their parents as chaperones.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
Other rescues have come from Bolivian circuses, an Iowa mall, and a shuttered Puerto Rican zoo.
—Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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This is not Eminem's first surprise visit to the stadium.—
Brian McCollum,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
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Kang said while the club deserves to play in a new stadium, OL Lyonnes will play its full schedule at the 59,000-seat Groupama Stadium (Parc Olympique Lyonnais) starting in the 2025-26 season.—
Jason Clinkscales,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The madhouse of awards season and all its many, many controversies — not to mention an ongoing parade of natural and man-made disasters — has until now perhaps overshadowed some of the year’s lower-stakes joys.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
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But things move fast in the Goodison madhouse.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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García represented Nicaragua at the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico, where she was placed among the Top 30.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2025
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Hudson was named second runner-up, but the two left the pageant hand-in-hand.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
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More than 200 Rocky Mountain Prep high school seniors made a grand entrance on the floor of the roaring coliseum, clutching the hands of their escorts who, in many cases, were mom and dad.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
15 May 2025
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With pressure from the league to get the Cowboys back in a foreign country and the impending renovation of Mexico City’s coliseum, 2026 has a good chance to be the year that Jerry Jones finally gives up a home game to play internationally.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 May 2025
Noun
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These ascendants met for back-to-back bedlam in March Madness.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
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And the week-long party that had been taking place in Green Bay turned into absolute bedlam.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The mountain’s storied past is detailed via interactive exhibits in the stylish Dr. T.W. Hardison Visitor Center, opened in 2021.—
Jack Schnedler,
Arkansas Online,
19 May 2025
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Interactive sports exhibit The California Science Center next to the Coliseum has opened a free interactive sports exhibit that will stay open through the 2028 Olympic Games.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
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The museum is now one of the most important contemporary art spaces in the world, with a permanent collection and exhibitions from major international artists including Jean Michael Basquiat, Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
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The driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing won the competitive midseason exhibition race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Sunday night.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Nearly seven years since her last US tour, Shakira and her famous hips returned with a massive spectacle.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
15 May 2025
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The congressman sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, accusing him of prioritizing personal spectacle and showing admiration for authoritarian leaders.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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