circle 1 of 2

Definition of circlenext
1
as in ring
something with a perfectly round circumference a circle of columns surrounds the memorial to the fallen heroes

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2
as in loop
a circular strip a decorative circle of silver on the rim of the commemorative plate for their 25th wedding anniversary

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3
4
as in wheel
a series of events or actions that repeat themselves regularly and in the same order with the birth of a child coming so soon after the death of a grandparent, we were once again reminded of the circle of life

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5

circle

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to orbit
to travel completely around with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit

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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 circle
Noun
Friends, networks and social circles can bring exciting connections now. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 For as much as her life has changed in the past year, her inner-circle has remained the same, for the most part. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Bravo is about having an authentic experience circling highly dramatic, funny, aspirational, one-of-a-kind superstars. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 May 2026 The media has largely circled Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, but the discourse in the league is a little different. Corey Pronman, New York Times, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circle
Noun
  • Styled by Jeanann Williams, Watts’ look was accessorized with Jessica McCormack jewelry, including crescent moon diamond and pearl earrings, an oval diamond eternity band and oval diamond custom ring.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 1 May 2026
  • The Dark Knight Rises may be an overstuffed and thematically conflicted mess, but her Catwoman rings crystal clear.
    Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Leaders need human-in-the-loop checkpoints on the highest-leverage decisions—high-value quotes, customs classifications, contractual commitments—alongside mandatory audit logs and version control across all agent actions.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 2 May 2026
  • Cloudy, reverberating bass mingles with sonorous, textural guitar loops courtesy of Mark Clifford, while Sarah Peacock’s spellbinding vocals ooze over the mix.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • The robber clique turns out to have its own bosses, too, as well as the most visible fractures in their unit.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, the county paid $8 million to settle a long-pending lawsuit by multiple sheriff’s deputies who alleged they were pressured to quit or leave the East Los Angeles station by an internal deputy clique known as the Banditos.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Heart-stopping video from inside a school bus showed nearly a dozen Mississippi middle school students jumping into action after their bus driver lost consciousness Wednesday behind the wheel.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The new wheel taxes will generate an increase of $344,732 annually, which the town can only use for street paving.
    Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Because Pe’Sla was not included as an affected area and no environmental review was conducted, the approval violates the National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act, the lawsuit alleges.
    Sarah Raza, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
  • The Mets won the series-opener 4-2, using that big sixth inning, two openers in front of David Peterson, and four innings from the lefty who calls the Denver area home.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • And while the resort's four dining and drinking spots draw inspiration from cuisines around the world, their menus are filled with ingredients harvested from the surrounding landscape.
    Abbey Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
  • On County Road 2480, the roof was lifted from a home and surrounding trees fell in multiple directions.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • SpaceX launched 45 satellites to orbit from California early Sunday morning (May 3), including a South Korean spacecraft that was originally supposed to fly in 2022.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 3 May 2026
  • Psyche is a nickel-iron core asteroid that orbits the sun beyond Mars anywhere from 235 million to 309 million miles away.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Mosley has navigated injuries, development and expectations, but three straight first-round exits – capped by a collapse of this magnitude – change the conversation.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 May 2026
  • Within a debate round, nothing is assumed.
    Eli Durst, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circle. Accessed 7 May. 2026.

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