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 two master watchmakers are widely regarded in horological circles as the crème de la crème, having honed their expertise at Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Gérald Genta, and Franck Muller, between them. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026

The plan reflects growing recognition within defense planning circles that a future conflict could affect not only battlefields overseas but also the infrastructure and industrial networks supporting military operations at home. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

If this sort of shotgun approach to local targeting is a relatively unfamiliar phenomenon in political circles, football fans have long grown used to seeing ads for things that are essentially irrelevant to their own interests. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

The word ‘elastin’ often follows the word ‘collagen’ in beauty and aesthetic circles, because together they’re known for forming the underlying structure of the skin, says Suzanne Scott, global associate beauty director at Seen Group. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026

Spouses caught in foreign courts have been largely invisible to almost everyone in military circles, including each other. — Brianna Keilar, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

The film slowly relates that the aspiring rapper and superfan ingratiated himself into the band’s circles, flying to New York multiple times as a teenager for the purpose. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

The debate over the most advanced AI systems will keep playing out in national security circles. — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Knight has been a fixture on Hollywood red carpets and in entertainment media circles for years. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

The camera swoops over the course while Brady is at the top of his ladder and then circles its lens back after passing. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2026

Cassiopeia circles Polaris as Earth rotates, so its orientation changes through the night. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Separately in the episode, River (Jack Lowden) and Sid (Olivia Cooke) are on the run from a pair of assassins, while the rest of the team circles the wagons en route to a safe house. — Lisa De Los Reyes, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026

The job search can be a draining process, especially when applications go unanswered, AI hysteria circles the internet, and interviews end with little to no feedback. — Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 28 July 2026

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

Phrases Containing circles

• run circles around