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
Quispe López, Them., 15 Oct. 2025
The citizen science team also spotted two additional odd radio circles in two different galaxies, including one located at the end of a powerful jet that has a sharp curve, resulting in a radio ring about 100,000 light-years wide.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Once, on a call with T, Catherine was walking circles near her house in San Francisco when a hawk swooped down and landed (unusually) on the ground in front of her, blocking the way.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Entire circles of thought have been wiped out.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Raol Muong, a creator who shares video essays about internet culture, made a TikTok video analyzing why books have seemingly become the new accessory in public spaces, as well as in literary circles online.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The firm’s advisory board has included retired military and national security officials, giving it deep reach into federal contracting circles.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
One of the most controversial issues facing sustainability circles is how to define durability.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
To my surprise and delight, my puffiness was nearly gone, and my dark circles visibly less noticeable.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 13 Oct. 2025
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
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
Noun
The release sparked widespread conversation about the cultural state of the bush, but no reaction was swifter than that of the sapphic internet, where posters were quick to point out that the bush has long been the fashion in lesbian circles.
—Quispe López, Them., 15 Oct. 2025
The citizen science team also spotted two additional odd radio circles in two different galaxies, including one located at the end of a powerful jet that has a sharp curve, resulting in a radio ring about 100,000 light-years wide.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Once, on a call with T, Catherine was walking circles near her house in San Francisco when a hawk swooped down and landed (unusually) on the ground in front of her, blocking the way.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Entire circles of thought have been wiped out.
—Mohammed R. Mhawish, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2025
Raol Muong, a creator who shares video essays about internet culture, made a TikTok video analyzing why books have seemingly become the new accessory in public spaces, as well as in literary circles online.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 14 Oct. 2025
The firm’s advisory board has included retired military and national security officials, giving it deep reach into federal contracting circles.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2025
One of the most controversial issues facing sustainability circles is how to define durability.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
To my surprise and delight, my puffiness was nearly gone, and my dark circles visibly less noticeable.
—Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
-
Berra, of course, earned a record 10 World Series rings — and won six of those titles as a visitor.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The radio rings were then confirmed by LOFAR, the Low Frequency Array of radio antennas across Western Europe and centered in The Netherlands.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Usually crafted from wool, the rug is made up of rows of popcorn-like loops and has a welcoming quality thanks to its soft texture.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The bottoms also have flat rivets at the back and watch pocket, single needle stitching construction, back darter risers, and three-point belt loops for a sleek look.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The ocean regulates our climate, supports global trade, and feeds communities.—
Olivier Wenden,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Scientific American spoke with Gill about how her work with Guerreros Azules is closing care gaps in Venezuela and how the organization’s approach could help other communities in need.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Nobel Prize in economics was awarded to a trio of researchers Monday for their work on how cycles of technological innovation feed economic growth.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Rimes has described experiencing cycles of praise and harsh criticism — both as a child star and during her affair with Cibrian.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During heavy rain, flooding is possible, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But in markets where the housing shortage is still acute—including many metropolitan areas in the North, Northeast, and Midwest—home prices are still growing.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Ring of Fire surrounds much of the Pacific Ocean and is home to numerous oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and fault systems.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Another diagnostic option involves measuring amyloid beta and certain modified forms of tau in the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, but collecting this fluid requires a lumbar puncture, which many people find too invasive.—
Robert Martone,
Scientific American,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As a moon orbits a planet, the two objects gravitationally pull at one another.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Out beyond the orbit of Triton, which orbits Neptune in a little under 6 days, the other Neptunian moons have their orbital periods measured in years, and appear at a wide variety of angles and with large eccentricities.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
During interview rounds when applicants showcase their skills through mini projects or tests, the executive values prospective hires who enhance their assignments with the tools.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Localized flash flooding will be a concern in areas that experience multiple rounds of heavy rain.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share