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
Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Ankle circles Sit or stand and slowly draw large circles with your foot, moving from your ankle joint rather than your toes.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
In recent days, this doctrine has been a source of discussion in NBA circles.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
With Cincinnati's playoff hopes in jeopardy before the trade deadline on Tuesday, defensive end Trey Hendrickson was a player many in league circles thought could be on the move.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
At night, capoeira circles pop up on the beach, forró music fills the air, and locals mingle with travelers over beers in the streets.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Your biggest challenge this month has to do with navigating power dynamics in your professional and social circles.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
When Lou first started playing in the bluegrass circles of Michigan, Greensky had already been established for a decade.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Perform 10 circles in one direction (clockwise) and 10 in the other direction (counter-clockwise).
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The menu at the motel’s restaurant, ISH Kitchen, circles the globe from Mediterranean shawarma to Japanese ramen to a Vietnamese dish of marinated ground beef wrapped in kaffir lime leaves.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Yet, as Team Ellison circles, the quick-footed WBD CEO supposedly has attracted the interest of Amazon and Netflix as potential buyers – or at least that’s the word on Warner Boulevard.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
The route circles the Yucatán and connects the peninsula to the neighboring states of Chiapas and Tabasco.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Against a palette of softly glitching synth, Zelda flute, and twittering mechanical birds, the song circles feelings of uncertainty about commitment, sacrifice, and choosing one’s true path.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
The menu circles the room to appreciative murmurs.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
But Harjo circles a fascinating and mischievous idea with Lee.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
In one instance, at finer resolution, the jet stream — a fast current of air that circles the Earth — migrated to the wrong location in the simulation.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Ankle circles Sit or stand and slowly draw large circles with your foot, moving from your ankle joint rather than your toes.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
In recent days, this doctrine has been a source of discussion in NBA circles.
—Jordy Fee-Platt, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
With Cincinnati's playoff hopes in jeopardy before the trade deadline on Tuesday, defensive end Trey Hendrickson was a player many in league circles thought could be on the move.
—Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
At night, capoeira circles pop up on the beach, forró music fills the air, and locals mingle with travelers over beers in the streets.
—Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Your biggest challenge this month has to do with navigating power dynamics in your professional and social circles.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
When Lou first started playing in the bluegrass circles of Michigan, Greensky had already been established for a decade.
—Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025
Perform 10 circles in one direction (clockwise) and 10 in the other direction (counter-clockwise).
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The menu at the motel’s restaurant, ISH Kitchen, circles the globe from Mediterranean shawarma to Japanese ramen to a Vietnamese dish of marinated ground beef wrapped in kaffir lime leaves.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Yet, as Team Ellison circles, the quick-footed WBD CEO supposedly has attracted the interest of Amazon and Netflix as potential buyers – or at least that’s the word on Warner Boulevard.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
The route circles the Yucatán and connects the peninsula to the neighboring states of Chiapas and Tabasco.
—Simon Willis, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Against a palette of softly glitching synth, Zelda flute, and twittering mechanical birds, the song circles feelings of uncertainty about commitment, sacrifice, and choosing one’s true path.
—Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
The menu circles the room to appreciative murmurs.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
But Harjo circles a fascinating and mischievous idea with Lee.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
In one instance, at finer resolution, the jet stream — a fast current of air that circles the Earth — migrated to the wrong location in the simulation.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
-
In a WarGames match, there are two rings side by side inside a large steel cage.—
Matthew Couden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Transdermal patches, gels or rings deliver estrogen that is absorbed directly through the skin which research shows can lower the risk of blood clots.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Originally commissioned for Queen Maria Cristina in the late 19th century, the tiara features upright diamond loops with white pearls at the center of each sinuous turn.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In practice, these demos show neuromorphic AI achieving millisecond-range sensing and decision loops.—
Srishti Gupta,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Beyond tools and workflow organization, FinBursa’s marketplace is designed to enable professionals to expand their networks organically.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Linking quantum computers to create powerful, high-speed quantum networks involves entangling atoms through a fiber cable.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
According to Di Giovanni, the trend aligns with the broader cycles of 30–40 year fashion returns and sits comfortably within both comfort-core and childhood regression movements that offer familiar softness in a chaotic world.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Studies have shown, too, that blind people whose natural melatonin cycles get out of whack, leaving them with a form of constant jet lag, can benefit from supplementation.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Shmidman said areas of growth can be geographical, categories, experiences, lifestyle or hospitality.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, their followings are distinct from the quasi-religious fervor thar surrounds Khan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Last year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes cracked open the door to dispel a bit of mystique that surrounds his nominating committee.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That's because of how the moon orbits our planet.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Supermoons happen because of how the moon orbits our planet, say experts, which isn't a neat little circle.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The duo played three rounds of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would speak first.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
9 Nov. 2025
-
From extension removal to a preliminary cut and a few rounds of color, the transformation took a total of four days to complete with the help of celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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