Synonyms of circling

circling 1 of 2

adjective

as in swirling

Related Words

• swirling
• spiral
• spiraling
• coiling
• coiled
• looping
• zigzag
• zigzagging
• twisting
• indirect
• winding
• corkscrew
• roundabout
• curving
• curved
• twisted
• serpentine
• bending
• circuitous
• wandering
• curled
• sinuous
• tortuous
• curling
• curvy
• crooked
• windy
• devious
• meandering
• rambling
• jagged
• crazy
• uneven
• irregular

Dissimilar Words

• straight
• direct
• linear
• straightaway

circling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of circle

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

• surrounding
• encircling
• ringing
• encompassing
• enclosing
• embracing
• girdling
• environing
• girding
• wreathing
• circumscribing
• swarming
• compassing
• besieging
• closing in
• walling
• fencing (in)
• entrenching
• besetting
• hemming (in)
• cordoning (off)
• investing

2

as in orbiting

to travel completely around

with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• orbiting
• traversing
• encircling
• crossing
• ringing
• rounding
• circumventing
• circuiting
• circumnavigating
• girdling
• compassing
• circumambulating
• perambulating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of circling

Verb

Apollo Global Management is reportedly circling a roughly $3 billion investment tied to the Steinbrenner family’s holding company, which controls the Yankees along with minority stakes in AC Milan, New York City FC, and Legends Hospitality. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 July 2026

Earlier this morning in New York’s always-buzzing Meatpacking District, a long queue of young, cool folks could be seen lining up along 14th street—circling the block from 10th avenue all the way to 9th. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 July 2026

Open the zipper circling the side of the boot, and the entire ankle section removes to leave a set of slide-on clogs. — New Atlas, 14 July 2026

The finding is concerning as space debris at such high altitudes behaves differently from that circling closer to Earth. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 13 July 2026

Potential contenders including former health chief Nirav Shah and ex-Senate president Troy Jackson are circling, while disillusioned voters liken Platner’s exit to Democrats’ last-minute scramble to replace Joe Biden. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Sources tell Variety that programmers at each of the fall festivals — Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York — are circling the title, though a premiere venue has yet to be set. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 July 2026

As the boy backs away, the family's husky mix, Bella, is seen running over from across the yard and chasing the bear away, circling behind the animal and placing itself in between the bear and the boy. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 7 July 2026

What the Research Would Have Predicted The management literature has been circling this insight for a long time. — Luis E. Romero, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026