Synonyms of circle

circle 1 of 2

noun

ˈsər-kəl 

1

as in ring

something with a perfectly round circumference

a circle of columns surrounds the memorial to the fallen heroes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ring
• round
• orb
• roundel
• loop
• oval
• ellipse
• cirque
• sphere
• ball
• globe
• circlet
• ringlet

2

as in loop

a circular strip

a decorative circle of silver on the rim of the commemorative plate for their 25th wedding anniversary

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loop
• hoop
• ring
• band
• round
• belt
• wreath
• eye
• coil
• collar
• girdle
• spiral
• curl
• whorl
• cincture
• spire
• twirl
• hank
• annulet
• becket
• furl

3

as in clique

a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially

got together with her social circle once a week

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clique
• crowd
• network
• community
• pack
• bunch
• clan
• gang
• coven
• fold
• ring
• coterie
• body
• club
• organization
• set
• tribe
• lot
• commune
• guild
• society
• galère
• klatch
• side
• fraternity
• in-group
• faction
• elite
• camp
• college
• league
• closed shop
• squad
• sect
• brotherhood
• charmed circle
• fellowship
• coalition
• sorority
• bloc
• sisterhood
• union
• mess
• alliance
• federation
• council
• order
• confederation
• sodality
• congress

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individualist
• loner

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wheel
• cycle
• round
• course
• pattern
• merry-go-round
• zodiac
• series
• progression
• loop
• syndrome
• rotation
• turn
• development
• chain
• train
• ring
• sequence
• circuit
• run
• revolution
• turnover
• string
• succession
• beat

5

as in area

a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

that lies outside the circle of our investigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• area
• element
• sphere
• realm
• walk
• field
• domain
• department
• kingdom
• front
• terrain
• territory
• specialty
• province
• arena
• discipline
• game
• precinct
• business
• line
• firmament
• fief
• study
• bailiwick
• barony
• fiefdom
• subject
• demesne
• confine
• scope
• frontier
• pursuit
• profession
• turf
• width
• compass
• reach
• vocation
• occupation
• sweep
• racket
• extent
• amplitude
• breadth
• ambit
• subfield
• subspecialty
• ken
• dimension(s)

circle

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to surround

to form a circle around

everyone circled the lectern and waited their turn to read from the Bible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• surround
• encircle
• ring
• encompass
• enclose
• compass
• embrace
• gird
• wall
• girdle
• fence (in)
• wreathe
• environ
• circumscribe
• hem (in)
• swarm
• close in
• beset
• cordon (off)
• entrench
• besiege
• invest

2

as in to orbit

to travel completely around

with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• orbit
• encircle
• traverse
• round
• circuit
• ring
• cross
• compass
• circumvent
• circumnavigate
• girdle
• circumambulate
• perambulate

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of circle

Noun

There was now a Kalshi Concourse in the arena, and outside, a content creator wearing a Kalshi T-shirt led a prayer circle before tip-off on Tuesday. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026

There, he was swarmed by Blue Jackets and tried to toe-drag his way out of it at the top of the circle. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Verb

Harris, a journalist who previously wrote books on the video game and tech industries, spent months circling his dream subject, talking to his closest friends and collaborators, before he would finally be introduced to David via email. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

In Paris on Monday night, a police helicopter circled over Place de la Republique overnight, a central point in the weekend clashes, sweeping the square with a searchlight to check that the curfew was being observed. — Tom Nouvian, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing circle

• vicious circle