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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of circles
Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Cannon-Grant was well-known in activist circles in Boston, earning numerous awards, including Boston Globe Magazine’s Bostonian of the Year award and a Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us award, both in 2020 amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Graham is a respected and experienced coordinator who has a strong reputation in league circles.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Cruz’s 99-1 split, though not unprecedented among fundraisers, has drawn notice in political circles.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
Spend a few minutes warming up with moves like jumping jacks, high knees, shoulder circles, and standing torso rotations.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
The green circles depict excellent junctures to buy silver and sell gold.
—Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
That raises suspicions in some circles.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Japanese gay stories made by gay men for a gay male audience are typically referred to in Western circles as Bara.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Astronomers have spotted an Earth-sized planet that circles its star every 355 days–and might be in its system’s habitable zone.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
An Army-green helicopter routinely circles overhead alongside several smaller drones.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Soft encouragement circles your friendships and hopes.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
For all the talk that circles the retail industry about AI’s promise, the fact is that Americans still fear job loss and replacement because of AI.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
The sprawling west-bank complex, with seating areas tucked around the winding gardens and a slim white cat that circles the breakfast tables with palpable hopefulness, was originally created by the indomitable Zeina Aboukheir, an Italian Lebanese designer.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2025
As part of its proposal, Citadel had promised to contribute $3 million to improvements to the nearby Metromover, the light rail system that circles the downtown area.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
The polar vortex is a swirling mass of frigid air high in the atmosphere that normally circles the Arctic, according to the National Weather Service.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Noun
Beijing is well aware of how US pressure could make governments become more wary of working with Chinese firms or re-evaluate existing ties, analysts in its policy circles say – something that’s already happened in Panama.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
Cannon-Grant was well-known in activist circles in Boston, earning numerous awards, including Boston Globe Magazine’s Bostonian of the Year award and a Boston Celtics Heroes Among Us award, both in 2020 amid nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Graham is a respected and experienced coordinator who has a strong reputation in league circles.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Cruz’s 99-1 split, though not unprecedented among fundraisers, has drawn notice in political circles.
—Joseph Morton, Dallas Morning News, 30 Jan. 2026
Spend a few minutes warming up with moves like jumping jacks, high knees, shoulder circles, and standing torso rotations.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 30 Jan. 2026
The green circles depict excellent junctures to buy silver and sell gold.
—Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
That raises suspicions in some circles.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 30 Jan. 2026
Japanese gay stories made by gay men for a gay male audience are typically referred to in Western circles as Bara.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
But this award, which was inaugurated in 2023 with a Jesso win, circles the same handful of writers, and country scribes like Jessie Jo Dillon, pop bards like Amy Allen, and reggaeton men-at-arms like Edgar Barrera are just as up next.
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
Astronomers have spotted an Earth-sized planet that circles its star every 355 days–and might be in its system’s habitable zone.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
An Army-green helicopter routinely circles overhead alongside several smaller drones.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Pisces February 19 – March 20 Soft encouragement circles your friendships and hopes.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2026
For all the talk that circles the retail industry about AI’s promise, the fact is that Americans still fear job loss and replacement because of AI.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
The sprawling west-bank complex, with seating areas tucked around the winding gardens and a slim white cat that circles the breakfast tables with palpable hopefulness, was originally created by the indomitable Zeina Aboukheir, an Italian Lebanese designer.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2025
As part of its proposal, Citadel had promised to contribute $3 million to improvements to the nearby Metromover, the light rail system that circles the downtown area.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
The polar vortex is a swirling mass of frigid air high in the atmosphere that normally circles the Arctic, according to the National Weather Service.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
-
Coming off his World Championships gold medal win for still rings last October, gymnast Donnell Whittenburg is focused on recovery and rest before getting into shape for his next competition.—
Chevall Pryce,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The fact that two of his brothers already had national championship rings was something that drove Drake.—
Jayson Jenks,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Micro-feedback loops are far more effective than top-down messaging during rapid change.—
Keith Ferrazzi,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The main changes occur on the upper, which swaps out the shoe’s usual ballistic nylon for a full-leather construction that extends to the lace loops, heel tabs and tongues.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those businesses, in turn, wire millions through financial networks in the United States and abroad to cartels in Mexico, Colombia and other countries, authorities say.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
For professionals trying to build authority, the verification offers networks and employers greater confidence in their work.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this month, Hudson, Sterling and Ahmed attended a Parliamentary debate with MP Jess Asato, the Birth Companions Institute and Project Accountability to discuss children’s social care, maternal imprisonment, the family courts, housing provision and intergenerational cycles of trauma.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Make no major decisions or moves during this period unless individual cycles and powerful Universal days overlay perfectly.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Most areas in North Texas were covered in ice, sleet and snow, creating hazardous conditions.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In the past two years, Russian territorial gains in some areas can be measured in just yards per day, well under half a football field, the CSIS report says.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most patients show changes in the fluid that surrounds the brain, commonly seen in other viral brain infections.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
On the medal, the Virgil inscription surrounds a young man sitting under a laurel tree, listening to the Muse, and writing down her song.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Psyche is a nickel-iron core asteroid that orbits the sun beyond Mars anywhere from 235 million to 309 million miles away.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Because the station orbits Earth once every 90 minutes, the crew on board sees 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
During a search of his home, investigators reportedly found and seized 152 grams of fentanyl, 215 grams of crack cocaine, 91 grams of powder cocaine, eight grams of methamphetamine, a gun magazine and 50 rounds of assorted ammunition, court records show.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The 17-year veteran engineered comeback victories in the wild-card and divisional rounds of the playoffs and passed for six touchdowns, with only one interception, in three postseason games.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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