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 communities
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circles
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
The annual Philly Skillshare Convergence will occur over the coming Friday through Sunday, according to an advertisement circulating in antifa circles.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Midmonth, Venus in Libra and a new moon bring emphasis to your friendship circles, reminding you how powerful your network can be.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Each panel is unique, though some feature intertwining circles or repetitive patterns in bright colors that seem to move toward the viewer.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Following their breakup, reports swirled that Renner was receiving upwards of $200,000 per month in child support — an astronomical figure that fueled debates across social media and sports media circles alike.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Whether that will prompt sweeping changes within the organization is a question being posed within many baseball circles.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
These arguments get a lot of blowback in MAGA circles.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
He had been involved in dissident circles since his student days, in the nineties.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
Over beers and homemade guac, lead guide Joy McCreary circles us up and asks everyone to state the important stuff—name, hometown, and favorite Dead tune—an icebreaker that also gives the band a list to work from.
—John Briley, Outside, 28 Sep. 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
Location and orbit revealed The team calculated that the moon circles Uranus about 35,000 miles (56,000 kilometers) from the planet’s center.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
His falcon still circles, but the sky above Gaza offers no axis, no return path, no center to descend toward, only a deepening orbit around an absence no language can fill.
—Alaa Alqaisi
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
The route starts in West Haven and circles the outer towns of the state first, then spirals in.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Rodger’s upcoming debut novel, which is due to publish in 2027, has been directing chatter in worldwide circles, leading to the auction.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
The annual Philly Skillshare Convergence will occur over the coming Friday through Sunday, according to an advertisement circulating in antifa circles.
—Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Midmonth, Venus in Libra and a new moon bring emphasis to your friendship circles, reminding you how powerful your network can be.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Each panel is unique, though some feature intertwining circles or repetitive patterns in bright colors that seem to move toward the viewer.
—Edna Bonhomme, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025
Following their breakup, reports swirled that Renner was receiving upwards of $200,000 per month in child support — an astronomical figure that fueled debates across social media and sports media circles alike.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Whether that will prompt sweeping changes within the organization is a question being posed within many baseball circles.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
These arguments get a lot of blowback in MAGA circles.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
He had been involved in dissident circles since his student days, in the nineties.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
Over beers and homemade guac, lead guide Joy McCreary circles us up and asks everyone to state the important stuff—name, hometown, and favorite Dead tune—an icebreaker that also gives the band a list to work from.
—John Briley, Outside, 28 Sep. 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
Location and orbit revealed The team calculated that the moon circles Uranus about 35,000 miles (56,000 kilometers) from the planet’s center.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
His falcon still circles, but the sky above Gaza offers no axis, no return path, no center to descend toward, only a deepening orbit around an absence no language can fill.
—Alaa Alqaisi
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
The route starts in West Haven and circles the outer towns of the state first, then spirals in.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
-
Kaling augmented the gold buttons on her vest by adding warmly toned pieces of jewelry, including bracelets and rings.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Swift completed her look with Cartier's Love bracelet, dainty gold rings, a gold chain necklace with a drop pendant, and her signature red lip.—
Yamillah Hurtado,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These have a wide elastic waistband, a faux fly, front and back pockets, and belt loops.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Closing that gap requires deliberate loops that capture lessons from pilots, circulate them across the organization and feed them into leadership development.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Families and seniors are being priced out, while overdevelopment threatens the character of our historic communities.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Families in small and rural communities tend to rely more heavily on public education.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
After two cycles in which pro-Israel groups spent heavily against left-wing candidates, insurgent Democrats believe the mood has changed.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Portland is 145 square miles, yet one city block has drawn outsized attention in news cycles.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Trump hasn't carried Virginia in any of his three runs for the presidency, which suggests an advantage for Democrats, said Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, who represents naval-heavy areas including Portsmouth and Norfolk.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The trade-off is that Salah is then able to get on the ball in dangerous areas.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Neighboring India, which surrounds landlocked Nepal on three sides, has offered to help.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Adaurie Stemshorn, 29, lives in Tracy, California, and surrounds herself with animals, both fostering with the local Animal Rescue of Tracy, and caring for the pets on her farm.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The sun orbits all signs of the zodiac in a calendar year.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
2 Oct. 2025
-
In 1995, a gas giant known as 51 Pegasi b, which orbits a star similar to Earth's sun, etched its name in cosmic history as the first exoplanet ever discovered.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Demonstrators both for and against the National Guard deployment rallied outside the building, according to CNN affiliate KATU, whose crews reported seeing federal agents deploying multiple rounds of pepper balls, flash bangs and tear gas to clear streets.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
-
In April, Grier traded picks in the second, third and fourth rounds to Las Vegas in order to move up from 48th to 37th to pick Savaiinaea.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share