as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in booklet
a short printed publication with no cover or with a paper cover
promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circular
Michele Demers, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Just spray lightly, wipe in a circular motion with the sponge across the entire surface of the griddle, then rinse out the sponge and wipe the soap off with water.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Other ways to save on eggs include using store circulars, or buying them with a cash-back credit card.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Adjective
Despite this volatility, thematic investment in clean energy, circular economy and climate adaptation continues to attract selective capital.
—Michele Demers, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Just spray lightly, wipe in a circular motion with the sponge across the entire surface of the griddle, then rinse out the sponge and wipe the soap off with water.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
But the bigger problem now is the big bang of agency memos, bulletins, circulars, and other forms of regulatory dark matter—edicts that bypass traditional public-notice rulemaking procedures, allegedly lack the force of law, yet few are brave enough to ignore.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Other ways to save on eggs include using store circulars, or buying them with a cash-back credit card.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
Adjective
-
In other jurisdictions, this has served as a roundabout way to force police departments to pull those officers from street patrol or detective work, roles that regularly require police to testify about arrests or other incidents.—
Skye Seipp,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Fox canceled the show, something the new season touches on in a roundabout way.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The booklet contains information about Elgin’s business, municipal and residential activity and growth; population and diversity factors; workforce sectors and categories; health care resources and services; and educational institutions, according to a news release.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Aug. 2025
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This clever booklet features history and facts about Cincinnati’s Burnet Woods as expressed in whimsical comics drawn by Anne Skove.—
Jeff Suess,
The Enquirer,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Google’s new Pixel 10 ad, that takes an indirect shot at Apple’s Siri problems, gives us an insight into how the upcoming smartphone battle will unfold.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
First, the American government was central to the course of revolution, although in indirect ways.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Kim dismissed Seoul's peace initiatives—including halting propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, restricting anti-North Korea leaflet activities, and offering opportunities for individual South Koreans to visit the North—and reaffirmed Pyongyang's refusal to engage in talks.—
Matt Cannon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 July 2025
-
The anti-Kim leaflets that defectors and activists often send into the North, which drives the Kim regime crazy, are now viewed by the authorities in Seoul as akin to a hostile act whose rewards aren’t worth the trouble.—
Daniel DePetris,
Twin Cities,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
Posters, brochures, and other archival materials speak to the ways World’s Fairs were used as showcases for modern design.—
Douglas Markowitz,
Miami Herald,
16 July 2025
-
The current Terry’s tenant has two five-year lease options, according to the Cushman & Wakefield brochure.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
The National Retail Federation notes that more than two-thirds of families started buying pencils, pens, paper, and folders in early July.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
-
The brown folder was heavy, full of letters, inquiries, death certificates and baptism records.—
Tanya Talaga
July 24,
Literary Hub,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
Across Sacramento, flyers taped to stoplights and stapled to street-posts offer a reward for the finding and return of Teddy.—
Olivia Cyrus
August 8,
Sacbee.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Your unique needs, goals and circumstances require the individualized attention of your own tax and financial professionals whose advice and services will prevail over any information provided in this flyer.—
Cicely Jones,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Finally, a counselor dug through her desk and procured a pamphlet.—
Molly Longman,
Wired News,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Recall that the city’s fiscal analysis set out in the ballot pamphlet for 2022’s Measure B represented to voters the monthly fee would likely be in a range far below the amount recently approved by the City Council.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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