as in swirling
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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
2
as in orbiting
to travel completely around
with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circling
Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Plates of spicy edamame, beautifully cut sashimi and nigiri, panko-coated shrimp, and cooked-to-perfection sirloin and broccolini are all worth circling on the menu for future reference, as are the delicate strawberry and cheesecake mochi that round the sitting off.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Historians keep circling him anyway.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2026
The Nativity and Passion facades can be appreciated from outside, and the scale of the project is best understood by circling it slowly.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
They're laid, each fall, in ephemeral ponds; on dry mounds, like the one Dahrouge is circling, that should be inundated by winter's rains.
—Nathan Rott, NPR, 27 May 2026
Visitors have been struggling with overcrowding ahead of the busy summer season, with parking lots filling early, shuttle buses packed to capacity and drivers circling Yosemite Valley in search of spaces, The Los Angeles Times reported.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
When billionaires and politicians start circling the same sports project, that’s usually when things stop being fantasy and start becoming possible.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2026
There are a lot of companies circling that might be doing the same thing.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Verb
Decades after Julian’s vanishing there, the band and various hangers-on recall eerie incidents both in and out of the house—rooms full of occult literature; pub full of haunting photographs—as well as the glimmering stranger circling the Orpheus-esque Julian.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Plates of spicy edamame, beautifully cut sashimi and nigiri, panko-coated shrimp, and cooked-to-perfection sirloin and broccolini are all worth circling on the menu for future reference, as are the delicate strawberry and cheesecake mochi that round the sitting off.
—Lauren Keith, Robb Report, 30 May 2026
Historians keep circling him anyway.
—Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2026
The Nativity and Passion facades can be appreciated from outside, and the scale of the project is best understood by circling it slowly.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
They're laid, each fall, in ephemeral ponds; on dry mounds, like the one Dahrouge is circling, that should be inundated by winter's rains.
—Nathan Rott, NPR, 27 May 2026
Visitors have been struggling with overcrowding ahead of the busy summer season, with parking lots filling early, shuttle buses packed to capacity and drivers circling Yosemite Valley in search of spaces, The Los Angeles Times reported.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
When billionaires and politicians start circling the same sports project, that’s usually when things stop being fantasy and start becoming possible.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2026
There are a lot of companies circling that might be doing the same thing.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circling
Adjective
-
An unforgettable excursion is soaring over the Great Barrier Reef and Hill Inlet’s swirling silica sands on a scenic helicopter flight.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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How Andreeva — so talented, so young, and sometimes so not ready for the swirling intensity of a tennis match — manages those moments, will likely make the difference between fulfilling her potential and wondering about what could have been.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Verb
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The backstory Lizard Island was declared a National Park in 1937, the surrounding waters were recognised as a National Marine Park in 1974, and the Great Barrier Reef was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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While questions continue to swirl regarding the possibility of biological lifeforms being in the possession of the federal government, Heckenlively is offering a stark warning surrounding the reality of aliens and humans coming into contact with each other.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The mission spent more than 11 years orbiting Mars and studying its upper atmosphere.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
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Scientists believe that one of the planetary nebula’s two orbiting stars — once bigger than our sun — gave up the ghost.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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There are several spots to cool off in Treasure Valley as the temperatures rise, including Roaring Springs Water Park in Meridian, which added a new spiral water slide for the 2026 season.—
Hali Smith
June 2,
Idaho Statesman,
2 June 2026
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The numerous bright red dots strewn around M88’s spiral arms are old stars, while the pink and blue represent star clusters and dust clouds.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
30 May 2026
Verb
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Styled by Brad Goreski, Moore wore a custom cobalt blue Self Portrait gown with an oversized bow encircling the hips, falling into a train.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
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Bad weather postponed a major construction project on Atlanta's primary highway encircling the city last weekend, but now the traffic chaos is here.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Verb
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On the Iron Horse Regional Trail traversing Contra Costa and Alameda counties, the whir of electric bikes has become part of the summer soundtrack.—
Maddie White,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Over 65 hours The longest Amtrak train route is the Texas Eagle, which runs between Chicago and Los Angeles with a long leg spent traversing Texas (hence the name).—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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The basic idea is that when anxiety spikes, pulling out a few sensory-engaging items can stave off panic by interrupting spiraling thoughts.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Still annoyed, weirdly offended, and slightly spiraling.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Everyone is crossing their fingers for a second season.—
Alessandra Codinha,
InStyle,
3 June 2026
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This is the Padres, who are crossing their fingers Jase Bowen can give them a spark.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circling. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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