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

August also had the hottest sea-surface temperature in the extra-polar oceans, or those lying just outside the Arctic and Antarctic circles. — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026

Friendships and social circles could take an unexpected turn, whether romantically or in terms of intensity. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Tired of circling the block looking for parking before a night out in the Fort Worth Stockyards? — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2026

The mathematical problem concerns the Navier-Stokes equations, which govern the flow of fluids—from the whirlpool circling your bathtub’s drain to the turbulent winds El Niño hurls across the North American continent. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing circle

• vicious circle