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

The captain of a lobster diving boat, Steven Del Sol, told officials that his vessel was anchored off Fisher Island when Simpson's Conch-brand boat allegedly approached him at high speed and began circling his boat, the arrest affidavit said. — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Journal, rest, take a silent walk, or name the thought that keeps circling. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

The body of the black-and-yellow mangrove snake is uniformly black or black above and bluish below, with transverse yellow bands circling its entire length. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Aug. 2026

On Sunday, bring the family to the inaugural Cincinnati Open 5K, a fun-run circling the perimeter of the 40-acre campus, which concludes with a post-race concert. — Hanlon Walsh, Midwest Living, 6 Aug. 2026

There are currently seven people aboard the football-field-sized orbital laboratory, circling Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 kilometers/hour) at an average altitude of around 250 miles (400 km). — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Remember when Barnes & Noble seemed to be circling the drain a few years ago? — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

The Wonsleys and Wells’ coach went out to Horn Island early that morning, circling the island by boat and walking on shore trying to find the teenager. — Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026

And apparently, some of the locals are already circling the competition venues. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026