1
as in surrounded
to form a circle around
everyone circled the lectern and waited their turn to read from the Bible
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in orbited
to travel completely around
with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circled
Up ahead, two men argued, their shouts and curses drowning out the hum of a helicopter that circled in the distance.
—
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Police say a car registered to Ramiro Mendoza and containing several people circled the area several times before closing in on Buatisa-Perez and opening fire.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Just before the robbery, the Jeep, which didn’t have a license plate, had circled the bank.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Opposing running backs have had the Miami Dolphins circled on their schedule.
—Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
The video, which circled the globe after it was reported on by Religion News Service, caused an outcry.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
But there’s no way that Rodgers hasn’t had this game circled on his calendar.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Marchers circled the courthouse in Lafayette where speeches interspersed with music could be heard later from a nearby park.
—IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Marty’s child had attempted to answer each of the four questions but had had the assignment returned with their mistakes circled by the teacher.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Police say a car registered to Ramiro Mendoza and containing several people circled the area several times before closing in on Buatisa-Perez and opening fire.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Just before the robbery, the Jeep, which didn’t have a license plate, had circled the bank.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025
Opposing running backs have had the Miami Dolphins circled on their schedule.
—Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
The video, which circled the globe after it was reported on by Religion News Service, caused an outcry.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
But there’s no way that Rodgers hasn’t had this game circled on his calendar.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Marchers circled the courthouse in Lafayette where speeches interspersed with music could be heard later from a nearby park.
—IndyStar, 20 Oct. 2025
Marty’s child had attempted to answer each of the four questions but had had the assignment returned with their mistakes circled by the teacher.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circled
Verb
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The bear moved with great agility around the rock ledges that surrounded the camp.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The film recreates the circumstances that surrounded Hind Rajab’s actual killing in January 2024, in which Red Crescent volunteers struggled to send an ambulance to rescue the child, who was trapped under fire in Gaza.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In recent years, there's been a big push to reduce space debris by setting up tracking systems, improving spacecraft and launcher designs, and setting up protocols so that defunct satellites are properly decommissioned before being orbited or sent into a graveyard orbit.—
David Szondy
October 26,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The event orbited around a panel, moderated by TIME’s editor-in-chief Sam Jacobs, that discussed how AI could shape the future of fashion—particularly from a customer’s perspective.—
Tharin Pillay,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet there is a reason why Kinmen remains to this day ruled by Taipei—some 140 miles away—despite being encircled on three sides by the PRC.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In the same month the Germans encircled Leningrad and began the siege of the city.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The 20-minute ride with Balloons Over Rum flies high above terrain once traversed by Bedouins and used as a backdrop for films like The Martian.—
Essence,
Essence,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Food, natural resources, jobs, ideas, and people all traversed a border that was barely monitored for large stretches.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The islands are ringed by coral reefs known for their biodiversity.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Oct. 2025
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The shutter release is on top in its expected place, and is ringed by the On/Off toggle.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By the time of the centennial celebration in 1926 (a year late), tens of thousands of miles of railroad track crossed the country.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
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But in stoppage time, Miami was gifted a third goal when Jordi Alba crossed from the left and keeper Willis, colliding with defender Walker Zimmerman, spilled the ball right to Messi, who had the simplest of tap-ins.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont came in fourth place with 14 percent and Harris rounded out the top five with 6 percent, the poll shows.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Moore rounded out the look with Saint Laurent’s celebrity-favorite black leather Le 5 à 7 bag and oversized aviator sunglasses.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circled. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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