1
2
as in loops
a circular strip
a decorative circle of silver on the rim of the commemorative plate for their 25th wedding anniversary
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in networks
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
got together with her social circle once a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cycles
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
5
as in areas
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence
that lies outside the circle of our investigation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in surrounds
to form a circle around
everyone circled the lectern and waited their turn to read from the Bible
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in orbits
to travel completely around
with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of circles
Tessa Petak, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Largely unknown outside scientific circles, Lehmann fundamentally transformed our understanding of what lies at the heart of our planet.
—Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
His exit was seen in some circles as a sign of defiance against the way Weiss has been managing CBS News.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Then, working in small circles, wipe at the stain moving from one end to the other.
—Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Just days later, on April 3, Venus will clash with Pluto, stirring powerful feelings around desire, control and value, whether in love, finances or your friendship circles.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Some were growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs), which have become increasingly popular in fitness circles for their potential to stimulate growth hormone release and promote muscle building and repair.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
But the same animal at another time of the year might be able to run circles around the wolf, for the wolf is actually a relatively slow runner.
—Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
Schultz started to make a name for himself in scouting circles over the summer.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Editing compounds that issue, and not even a familiar and fun soundtrack can distract from a narrative that endlessly circles the same jokes and conflicts without properly deepening them.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Anthony Arceneaux, who owns the spot with his wife, Jennifer, circles the room in a white cowboy hat, shaking hands like a Presidential candidate.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Amazomania really circles around that.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Tahoe Rim Trail At roughly 170 miles, the Tahoe Rim Trail circles the entire lake and offers everything from casual afternoon loops to multi-day backpacking epics.
—Ted Alvarez, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
Charles then circles around the cruiser and onto a sidewalk, which puts a barrier of snow between him and Jones, who can be seen standing in the street.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
As the camera circles the car, two other portions of Kennedy’s speech play in the background.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The polar vortex is a persistent, large-scale cyclone that circles the Arctic and contains extremely cold air.
—Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
In his book, A Voyage Around the Queen, author Craig Brown claimed that although Meghan and Harry's real names don't get brought up too often in royal circles, the estranged family members are referred to indirectly, per The Mirror.
—Tessa Petak, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Largely unknown outside scientific circles, Lehmann fundamentally transformed our understanding of what lies at the heart of our planet.
—Carol Sutton Lewis, Scientific American, 3 Apr. 2026
His exit was seen in some circles as a sign of defiance against the way Weiss has been managing CBS News.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Apr. 2026
Then, working in small circles, wipe at the stain moving from one end to the other.
—Bridget Reed Morawski, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Just days later, on April 3, Venus will clash with Pluto, stirring powerful feelings around desire, control and value, whether in love, finances or your friendship circles.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Some were growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs), which have become increasingly popular in fitness circles for their potential to stimulate growth hormone release and promote muscle building and repair.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
But the same animal at another time of the year might be able to run circles around the wolf, for the wolf is actually a relatively slow runner.
—Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
Schultz started to make a name for himself in scouting circles over the summer.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
The space station circles our planet at an altitude referred to as low-Earth orbit, which is closer to Earth's atmosphere and allows the outpost to move more quickly around Earth than objects further out in space.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Editing compounds that issue, and not even a familiar and fun soundtrack can distract from a narrative that endlessly circles the same jokes and conflicts without properly deepening them.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Anthony Arceneaux, who owns the spot with his wife, Jennifer, circles the room in a white cowboy hat, shaking hands like a Presidential candidate.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
Amazomania really circles around that.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
Tahoe Rim Trail At roughly 170 miles, the Tahoe Rim Trail circles the entire lake and offers everything from casual afternoon loops to multi-day backpacking epics.
—Ted Alvarez, Outside, 9 Mar. 2026
Charles then circles around the cruiser and onto a sidewalk, which puts a barrier of snow between him and Jones, who can be seen standing in the street.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
As the camera circles the car, two other portions of Kennedy’s speech play in the background.
—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
The polar vortex is a persistent, large-scale cyclone that circles the Arctic and contains extremely cold air.
—Brandi D. Addison, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
-
The Dow was poised to drop about 50 points when the opening bell rings.—
Max Burman,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Products aimed at women in that stage of life include everything from bracelets and rings claiming to help ease hot flashes to cooling blankets and bedding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Many songs are now written on computers, using sequencers, patterns, and loops, with notes laid out in perfect synchrony on a rhythmic, 4/4 grid.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
These marvels of engineering elevate riders as high as 210 feet (64 meters), send them through dizzying loops and corkscrews and propel them at speeds as high as 76 mph (122 kilometers per hour).—
John Haddad,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Burelli also warned the policy shift could transform Venezuela into a laundering hub for illicit gold from across the Amazon basin, with miners from Brazil, Colombia, Guyana and Suriname channeling production through Venezuelan networks before reaching global buyers.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
These networks are strongest if people step in to provide accountability, check in periodically and help navigate care when needed.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In between seasons, Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, and the rest of the cast have come to rule Hollywood, starring in blockbuster franchises, A24 and Neon film-festival darlings, and generating buzzy press cycles all on their own.—
The Editors,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Additionally, 77 percent of growers rotate crops, disrupting pest cycles, building soil health and diversifying farm income for a more stable system.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
King’s plans center around keeping close contact with constituents, revitalizing downtown and residential areas and advancing historic preservation and tourism efforts.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Strong longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties and other hazardous areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Much lore surrounds Nanda Devi.—
Elizabeth Cantrell,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the sharp moves, uncertainty surrounds the ceasefire, in particular about a quick resumption of transits through the strait, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supply normally passes.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In fact, in a typical day, the ISS orbits Earth about 16 times, according to NASA.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both teams had cruised to the Final Four, each winning easily in the first four rounds.—
Doug Feinberg,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The contest featured three rounds of competition, with each round scored separately.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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