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

The Best Ways to Enjoy Potatoes Despite their benefits, these starchy vegetables have been denigrated in some nutrition circles because of associations with high-fat diets. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026

However, since the left side took the brunt of the impact, specifically the steering system, Brett had to drive in clockwise circles the entire way back. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

Grant, who is Black and deeply involved in historically Black organizing circles in Kansas City, was moderating the panel when Osborne allegedly began yelling at her. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Hernandez at 17 was a rising prospect as an amateur in the MMA circles in Northern California. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Other companies are tied into these corporations, forming circles of current and expected future investment and sales. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Russia’s participation has been a flashpoint for debate within EU creative and political circles since before the Biennale opened in early May. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026

For those of us who have played in the dynasty circles of fantasy, Pitts was deemed a generational tight-end asset coming out of Florida in 2021. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026

She's also curated large-scale art pieces such as two 30-foot Black portraits in 2022 and a model barbershop in 2024, complete with affirmation stations and healing circles for men. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Verb

Whenever the calendar comes out, Amanda Mendoza VanCleave circles the dates. — ABC News, 23 July 2026

All of which circles us back around to the reality that our brain sees writing as quietly dangerous. — April Dávila, Literary Hub, 22 July 2026

But the finale sets up a world-changing cliffhanger that circles the plot back to Louis and Armand vying for Lestat’s music box and blood in the premiere. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Tour du Mont Blanc circles the highest mountain in the Alps, spanning France, Switzerland and Italy. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

The gas giant circles its star at an unexpectedly close distance—about 50 times nearer than the Earth’s orbit around the sun. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026

Chapter 1 Randy Fields stalks through the newsroom, circles my desk and sits across from me. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

The book circles political concerns that remain relevant today, including empire, caste prejudice, and the dangers of despotism and corruption. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

One of Geneva Lake's main attractions is the public walking path, which circles the entire lake for over 20 miles. — Katy Spratte Joyce, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026

Phrases Containing circles

• run circles around