Synonyms of circles

circles 1 of 2

noun

plural of circle

1

as in rings

something with a perfectly round circumference

a circle of columns surrounds the memorial to the fallen heroes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rings
• rounds
• orbs
• roundels
• ovals
• loops
• cirques
• spheres
• ellipses
• balls
• ringlets
• circlets
• globes

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

• loops
• hoops
• rings
• bands
• rounds
• belts
• wreaths
• eyes
• coils
• spirals
• collars
• curls
• girdles
• whorls
• cinctures
• spires
• twirls
• hanks
• annulets
• beckets
• furls

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

• networks
• communities
• cliques
• crowds
• bunches
• packs
• folds
• clans
• gangs
• organizations
• coteries
• rings
• bodies
• clubs
• covens
• lots
• sets
• communes
• tribes
• societies
• galères
• guilds
• klatches
• factions
• elites
• in-groups
• sides
• colleges
• fraternities
• camps
• leagues
• squads
• brotherhoods
• sects
• coalitions
• fellowships
• charmed circles
• blocs
• sororities
• closed shops
• federations
• unions
• alliances
• messes
• confederations
• sisterhoods
• councils
• congresses
• sodalities
• orders

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• individualists
• loners

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

• cycles
• rounds
• patterns
• wheels
• series
• progressions
• syndromes
• runs
• merry-go-rounds
• chains
• zodiacs
• developments
• rotations
• loops
• sequences
• rings
• courses
• circuits
• strings
• revolutions
• beats
• successions
• trains
• turns
• turnovers

5

as in areas

a region of activity, knowledge, or influence

that lies outside the circle of our investigation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• areas
• spheres
• realms
• domains
• departments
• walks
• fields
• kingdoms
• elements
• provinces
• terrains
• specialties
• disciplines
• territories
• arenas
• fronts
• games
• precincts
• businesses
• studies
• lines
• confines
• subjects
• fiefs
• fiefdoms
• bailiwicks
• firmaments
• pursuits
• baronies
• professions
• frontiers
• demesnes
• dimensions
• scopes
• occupations
• reaches
• vocations
• widths
• compasses
• sweeps
• rackets
• breadths
• amplitudes
• subfields
• extents
• turfs
• ambits
• subspecialties
• kens

circles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of circle

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

• surrounds
• encircles
• rings
• encompasses
• environs
• embraces
• encloses
• walls
• wreathes
• girdles
• compasses
• girds
• fences (in)
• circumscribes
• hems (in)
• closes in
• swarms
• entrenches
• besets
• besieges
• cordons (off)
• invests

2

as in orbits

to travel completely around

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• orbits
• rings
• traverses
• encircles
• circuits
• rounds
• crosses
• circumvents
• girdles
• circumnavigates
• compasses
• circumambulates
• perambulates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of circles

Noun

Swayne, a native of Reno, was well known in local cycling circles. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

Pope Leo's statement is one of many debates being had in religious circles about the implications of AI and how parishioners should or should not engage with the rapidly growing technology. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Once Ye-jin is an adult, the mother and daughter operate in similar circles. —Kayti Burt, Time, 29 May 2026

It’s formulated to smooth, moisturize, and brighten stubborn dark circles and under-eye lines. —Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 28 May 2026

The move gives Jones another stamp of approval from a grassroots conservative network with deep ties to evangelical circles and a close alliance with Kemp. —Adam Beam, AJC.com, 28 May 2026

Two questions about the wisdom of mandatory minimum sentences — a very contentious topic in legal circles — yielded only brief responses. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026

Nutmegging is an artistic maneuver that the most skilled players pull off effortlessly, leaving the opponent spinning around in circles. —Ava Berger, NPR, 28 May 2026

The circumstances of Uribe’s resignation have been debated for weeks in local Democratic circles. —Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026

Verb

The issue circles back to the gigantic investment needed to mine that rich lode when the top names in tech are digging as well. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 May 2026

But even that comic tension threatens to rip as the painfully thin story repeatedly circles the same disputes without deepening them. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 May 2026

Walk the trail that circles turquoise Emerald Lake, one of the park’s most iconic sites. —Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2026

Most relied on the free shuttle that circles the valley floor. —Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

That process moves forward, then circles back, then moves again. —Felysha Walker may 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026

Enjoy a coffee break at The Lookout at Lake Poway before the group circles back. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

As the vehicle circles the far side of the moon, communication back to Earth is expected to be blocked for about 40 minutes. —Brendan Byrne, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026

On Deck 10, furniture upholstered in La Rumba circles the main pool and an outdoor bar. —Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 6 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing circles

• run circles around