circles 1 of 2

Definition of circlesnext
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

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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
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

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5

circles

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of circle

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
Noun
Then move through the concentric circles one stage at a time. Big Think, 7 May 2026 Menzin, then 34, was viewed in some circles as a rising star after ascending from intern to the front office. Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 6 May 2026 More than 2,500 shoppers have given it a perfect rating, and reviewers appreciate that the lightweight formula hides dark circles — without settling into fine lines. Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Journaling workshops, emotional release practices and group sharing circles add structured ways to process what comes up during the stay. Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 Stronger retreats add journaling workshops, emotional release practices, group sharing circles and therapists or coaches who specialize in stress management, grief or life transition support. Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 Boardman’s decision to share details about the judging process similarly raised eyebrows in some journalism circles. Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 May 2026 Gathering spaces throughout the property offer learning, reflection and spiritual experiences, and the studio often hosts events like drum circles and sound baths. Belinda Luksic, Southern Living, 1 May 2026 Conversation sets arranged in circles or L-shapes pull people into the space rather than lining them up against walls. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Enjoy a coffee break at The Lookout at Lake Poway before the group circles back. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
  • Interestingly, supercomputer simulations revealed that a dolphin’s propulsion is driven by the formation of massive, powerful vortex rings.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 May 2026
  • Each performance rings true with an emotional intelligence that’s embedded throughout the script.
    David Opie, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • While the Houthis suspended the attacks in fall 2025, container shipping has still been reticent about sending loops through the area full time.
    Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
  • Stylish yet functional, the pants are designed with front pleats, belt loops, and side flap pockets similar to Oprah’s pair.
    Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Turner saw a huge opening in the television marketplace, a chance to supersede the ABC, NBC and CBS broadcast networks that only allotted half an hour for news at night.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 6 May 2026
  • Trucks operating in the middle mile of logistics networks move orders between centralized distribution facilities and last-mile delivery points.
    Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • When residents see the returns, support becomes more durable and less dependent on political cycles.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
  • Understanding vicious cycles and logical fallacies.
    Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • On Saturday, Moscow pummeled the central city of Dnipro and other areas for more than twenty hours with barrages of missiles and drones, killing at least seven people.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor said the city and county have not had a formal reimbursement agreement for Salisbury Fire Department service to county areas for several years.
    Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But as the rover attempted to pull out its drill arm, the rock came up with it, having gotten lodged onto the sleeve that surrounds the tool’s bit.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 May 2026
  • Set the scene The hotel’s name comes from the beach grass that surrounds it—perhaps your first clue as to how this summertime escape sits harmoniously among its Long Island coast setting.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Verb
  • Because the station orbits Earth once every 90 minutes, the crew on board sees 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 May 2026
  • The sky is always changing As Earth orbits the sun, stars appear to rise about four minutes earlier each night.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • The event quickly descended into chaos as the rounds of shots sent thousands scrambling for cover, including fans, top city and state officials and state lawmakers in both Kansas and Missouri.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
  • The trio of titles making the rounds at Cannes are exemplars of the type of material Anonymous Content intends to pursue that this moment of great upheaval across film and TV.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 9 May. 2026.

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