circles 1 of 2

plural of circle
1
as in rings
something with a perfectly round circumference a circle of columns surrounds the memorial to the fallen heroes

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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
In addition to prepping the skin, the brand says the wand’s therapeutic warmth and soothing vibrations reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, all while boosting the skin’s natural radiance. Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 The silky, buildable formula camouflages all things acne scars, dark circles, and other blemishes without looking thick or cakey. Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026 Wang believes that authenticity was also why McGee managed to build relationships across so many different social circles. Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2026 What’s actually needed are feedback circles running through every single aspect of the organization—product, marketing, customer experience, and partnerships. Brieane Olson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Pavich, Stanley, and a small group of elite observers (presumably all or mostly human) gather for a demonstration of the four circles outside. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026 Other aides and crony capitalists in his circles are of a similar age. Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 And so our strategy has been very much focused on super-serving the fandoms, to expand the concentric circles to offer them more ways to engage the best place to consume our content should be on our platform. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 Stephen Cloobeck — a one-time California gubernatorial candidate ensconced in Democratic political circles — pleaded not guilty to witness tampering charges Friday related to a burglary case against his former paramour, OnlyFans model Adva Lavie. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
  • Bryan DiGirolamo, special agent in charge of ATF New York, told CNN the more guns are traced, the more crimes between the US and Canada can be linked, ultimately exposing trafficking rings.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • While formal entertaining is less common today, finding napkin rings, butter pats, and sterling silver tableware is a true treasure.
    Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • One user request now triggers chains of model calls, tool executions, retrieval steps and recursive planning loops.
    Srikanta Datta, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Solar prominences One of the most surprising aspects of witnessing a total solar eclipse is a view of prominences during totality, bright pink spikes or loops that appear around the moon's silhouette.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That is potentially significant because modern military operations increasingly depend on networks containing aircraft, ships, unmanned systems, sensors and command-and-control nodes from multiple organizations.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The city’s manufacturing ecosystem depends on rough stones sourced from around the world, processed by tens of thousands of workers, and funneled into global markets through trading networks centered in Mumbai.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • While those cycles are inevitable, specialization remains one of the few competitive advantages that investors can control.
    James Nelson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Engineers had to account for the stresses of freeze-thaw cycles, which can gradually damage waterproofing layers, crack concrete and masonry, and create leaks.
    Jennifer Tucker, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Towns and cities are enacting bans on construction seemingly by the day, including in nearby areas in Washington, out of fears of higher electricity bills, pollution and AI taking their jobs.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The full-backs are just as important to the picture, pushing high to overload wide areas and stretch defences.
    Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Gus Birney, Shulman’s real-life daughter, brings an ineffable lightness to Sarah Nell, the joyfulness and sweetness of the portrayal all the more wondrous before of all the darkness that surrounds it.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
  • And yet, there’s a halo of chaos that surrounds Rhaenyra — an electric current of turmoil that’s too constant not to be her fault.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Worlds with no sun Every planet in our Solar System orbits the sun, but not all planets are so fortunate.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which already orbits the moon, should provide before and after photos of the wreckage site in the next few weeks.
    Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This can be a sandwich-ready log, or split it into two evenly-sized rounds for one loaf to enjoy now and one to freeze for later.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Amazon and Microsoft, two of the largest employers in Washington, have both announced several rounds of mass layoffs in recent years.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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