1
as in surrounding
to form a circle around
everyone circled the lectern and waited their turn to read from the Bible
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in orbiting
to travel completely around
with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in swirling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circling
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
With Leonardo DiCaprio circling, other actors whose names have surfaced include Austin Butler, Adam Driver and Bradley Cooper.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The 12-track album offers a vivid reflection on her life over the past two years, from circling the globe on the Eras Tour to her high-profile romance with fiancé Travis Kelce.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2025
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway covers 84 miles in northern New Mexico, circling Wheeler Peak, the state’s tallest mountain.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Speaking on stage, actor, comedian and technologist Eline Van der Velden revealed talent agencies were circling the first creation from her new AI studio, Xicoia – ‘actress’ Norwood.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Flight tracking website Flightradar showed several planes circling the airport at around 11pm local time before heading to other destinations.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Those were the questions circling Ellen Haines’ head after boarding a flight to Greece for her best friend’s wedding—without her toddler.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
News broke from Deadline at the Zurich Summit on September 27 that Hollywood talent agents have been quietly circling Norwood for representation.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Two traditional Chinese dancers enter the frame, gracefully circling the robots as classical music plays.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
With Leonardo DiCaprio circling, other actors whose names have surfaced include Austin Butler, Adam Driver and Bradley Cooper.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
The 12-track album offers a vivid reflection on her life over the past two years, from circling the globe on the Eras Tour to her high-profile romance with fiancé Travis Kelce.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2025
The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway covers 84 miles in northern New Mexico, circling Wheeler Peak, the state’s tallest mountain.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Speaking on stage, actor, comedian and technologist Eline Van der Velden revealed talent agencies were circling the first creation from her new AI studio, Xicoia – ‘actress’ Norwood.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025
Flight tracking website Flightradar showed several planes circling the airport at around 11pm local time before heading to other destinations.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Those were the questions circling Ellen Haines’ head after boarding a flight to Greece for her best friend’s wedding—without her toddler.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
News broke from Deadline at the Zurich Summit on September 27 that Hollywood talent agents have been quietly circling Norwood for representation.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circling
Verb
-
Leslie Cheek’s formerly private estate opened as a public garden and fine art center in 1960 and today is host to nearly a dozen gardens surrounding the family’s Georgian mansion, which has become a museum.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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That rapid rise underscores the investment frenzy surrounding the leaders of a technology with the potential to transform industries and economies.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Planet Nine is believed to be between five and 10 times the mass of Earth and would be orbiting the sun far beyond Pluto, at around 550 times the distance between Earth and the sun.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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Mimas also has water Saturn's system is positively teeming with moons, where Enceladus is one of 274 natural satellites orbiting the ringed planet.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Through the darkness and swirling mist, ghostly figures emerge from the looming ship.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Stocked with swirling synths and a driving bass line, the song sounds custom made for roller rinks in the ‘70s, but is equally irresistible today.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The designs feature a star with water and green hills; a whale in water with a white bird underneath; and three turkey feathers encircling a chickadee.—
Chris Van Buskirk,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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In the image from 1984, Prow Knob is almost entirely surrounded by the Alsek Glacier, but by 1999, the glacier had retreated, encircling only half of the mountain.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Many of the activities, such as hiking in Pisgah National Forest, viewing Looking Glass Falls, and traversing Sliding Rock in season, are outdoor-centric.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Trails have suffered erosion, so take care while traversing them.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The resulting look was a volume-packed, fluffy head of tiny spiral curls that could be dramatically teased.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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But a new study points in a different direction, linking them instead to superwind outflows from spiral host galaxies.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Border security and enforcement efforts remain strict, and crossing the border without authorization remains a crime.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
And how many more players around the league will suddenly be crossing the previously exclusive eight-digit threshold?—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Key qualities are the multicolor LED lights and sound machine functions (30 non-looping sounds, by the way).—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Following the close pass, 2025 FA22 will continue its 668-day looping path through the inner solar system that takes it well beyond the orbit of Mars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circling. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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