as in curves
something that curves or is curved
the stars seemed to align themselves into one vast glittering arc
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in sweeps
to turn away from a straight line or course
the ball arced toward the batter and nearly hit him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of arcs
Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026
The only way to subdue the dizziness may be to let go of the big ideas—nation, nature, arcs of history bending toward justice, and so on.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The cut features plenty of unseen character arcs and alternate takes.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Dana and Harper occasionally feel extraneous, there to fill out the group rather than carry out their own narrative arcs, but the bond between Charlie and Lorcan, and Lorcan’s search for his place in the world, is a solid emotional core the show never loses sight of.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
Bands, rayed bands, horizontal arcs, rayed arcs, coronas, and more.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Margo writes scripts, plans costumes and makeup, blocks scenes, and dreams up plot arcs for her erotic-alien alter ego.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Sweeney's storyline didn't sit right with fans, who have watched the actress undergo similar demeaning character arcs in seasons one and two.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
Levy arcs his character’s growing exasperation in a way that’s funny, if somewhat limited.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
In doing so, the memoir arcs outward, moving from a personal reckoning with gender towards an open-ended, existential understanding for readers to grasp on their own.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Salah arcs his run to shut off the pass from centre-back Josko Gvardiol to left-back Nico O’Reilly.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Richard Gabriel Moritz | Unsplash Many readers will know this coastline—which arcs its way from the French border in the west to Tuscany in the east, via the ancient port city of Genoa—for the five absurdly picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Unlike most Marvel movies that have the complexity of a shopping list, this film is refreshingly deeper and boasts rare transformative arcs for various characters — and not just the lead.
—Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026
The only way to subdue the dizziness may be to let go of the big ideas—nation, nature, arcs of history bending toward justice, and so on.
—Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
The cut features plenty of unseen character arcs and alternate takes.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Dana and Harper occasionally feel extraneous, there to fill out the group rather than carry out their own narrative arcs, but the bond between Charlie and Lorcan, and Lorcan’s search for his place in the world, is a solid emotional core the show never loses sight of.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
Bands, rayed bands, horizontal arcs, rayed arcs, coronas, and more.
—Heather Greenwood Davis, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
As anachronisms constantly threaten to puncture the illusion, the cast stays wry, nimble and self-conscious in order to locate plot points and jokes that reinforce the golden-age radio setting, scribbling notes and introducing characters that propel them through ludicrous narrative arcs.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Margo writes scripts, plans costumes and makeup, blocks scenes, and dreams up plot arcs for her erotic-alien alter ego.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Sweeney's storyline didn't sit right with fans, who have watched the actress undergo similar demeaning character arcs in seasons one and two.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
This time, the path of totality begins in Siberia, crosses eastern Greenland and western Iceland, then arcs across northern Spain, before ending in the Mediterranean.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
Levy arcs his character’s growing exasperation in a way that’s funny, if somewhat limited.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
In doing so, the memoir arcs outward, moving from a personal reckoning with gender towards an open-ended, existential understanding for readers to grasp on their own.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Salah arcs his run to shut off the pass from centre-back Josko Gvardiol to left-back Nico O’Reilly.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Richard Gabriel Moritz | Unsplash Many readers will know this coastline—which arcs its way from the French border in the west to Tuscany in the east, via the ancient port city of Genoa—for the five absurdly picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre.
—Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcs
Noun
-
One of the highlights is the Viaduto do Carvalho, a bridge built along the edge of a mountain with sweeping views over the forest canopy and distant peaks as the train curves along its path.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
11 May 2026
-
Stassie Karanikolaou’s decision to reverse her Brazilian butt lift is fueling new questions about whether the era of exaggerated curves is coming to an end.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Its outstanding appeal, grandish curvatures and extraordinary interior design are just the norm for the upscale interior brand.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Posture Changes Spine curvatures can make standing up straight difficult, causing lower right back pain.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If this were an American show, the gears would already be grinding, camera angles snapping into place, and the story would be halfway to becoming gospel before anyone had time to blink.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
7 May 2026
-
Stand-in actors take the place of the principal actor as the crew adjusts camera angles and lighting setups.—
Brayden Garcia
May 7,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The ride travels on an elliptical track and whips riders around bends.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The fjord bends, combined with the ship being far enough away and in deep water, were key factors that saved them.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Expect east winds of about 7 mph.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
-
Potential hazards include winds at 60+ mph, hail and a brief tornado.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arcs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcs. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
