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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circling
Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
So none of the negative press circling around him manifested as a problem in your working relationship?
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
On Sunday, May 10, a pilot flying a United Airlines plane heading to Houston from Los Cabos in Baja California Sur performed circling maneuvers minutes after takeoff before requesting authorization to land in Monterrey.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
The chef Gregory Gourdet, the son of Haitian immigrants, approaches France from the view of the colonies, moving from Vietnam to Louisiana but ever circling back to the Caribbean and its wealth of plantains, salt cod, Scotch bonnets, pikliz and not-so-humble rice and beans.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
But then a heavy beat drops, and the figure crouches down into a duckwalk, moving across the walkway in a low bounce before springing up with the circling arm movements of voguing.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
When buying an oak tree, a smaller specimen may give you quicker growth, particularly if a larger tree has been in a pot too long and has circling roots.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
Talk of the Josephine Baker project — which is being done with the blessing of her sons — has been circling since last May.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
With the sport scaling and a fan base that knows its way around Fifth Avenue, luxury brands are circling.
—Robin Swithinbank, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
Verb
Given rumors were circling that José Mourinho was on his way back to manage the team next season, some assumed Pérez would be addressing that, looking to steady the ship after a torrid few months in the Spanish capital.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
So none of the negative press circling around him manifested as a problem in your working relationship?
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
On Sunday, May 10, a pilot flying a United Airlines plane heading to Houston from Los Cabos in Baja California Sur performed circling maneuvers minutes after takeoff before requesting authorization to land in Monterrey.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
The chef Gregory Gourdet, the son of Haitian immigrants, approaches France from the view of the colonies, moving from Vietnam to Louisiana but ever circling back to the Caribbean and its wealth of plantains, salt cod, Scotch bonnets, pikliz and not-so-humble rice and beans.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
But then a heavy beat drops, and the figure crouches down into a duckwalk, moving across the walkway in a low bounce before springing up with the circling arm movements of voguing.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
When buying an oak tree, a smaller specimen may give you quicker growth, particularly if a larger tree has been in a pot too long and has circling roots.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2026
Talk of the Josephine Baker project — which is being done with the blessing of her sons — has been circling since last May.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
With the sport scaling and a fan base that knows its way around Fifth Avenue, luxury brands are circling.
—Robin Swithinbank, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circling
Adjective
-
The winds across Antarctica's frozen landscape have carved incredible, swirling vortexes in the clouds above the icy terrain.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
12 May 2026
-
That the story of The Deb, which centers around female friendship and unity despite cultural differences, wound up curdling into a swirling pit of harassment and negativity and abuse is one of this world’s cruel ironies.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Other rooms look toward the Giza Zoo’s greenery or the surrounding city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
Still, confusing thoughts surrounding money, confidence or self-worth could cloud your judgment.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
There are several ancient clusters of stars called the Ultra-Faint Dwarf galaxies orbiting the Milky Way.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
13 May 2026
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Purchasing enough orbiting interceptors to destroy roughly 10 incoming ballistic missiles would cost about $720 billion, the CBO estimates.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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The galaxy's red and orange spiral arms bending outward can measure tens or even hundreds of light-years across.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
13 May 2026
-
This transformative power was top of mind when Kwong designed Gardens of Renewal in New York City’s Madison Square Park, which included a spiral meditation garden, 3,000 native plants, and a children’s garden organized by color.—
Eleni N. Gage,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The upper features criss-crossing straps across the toes and skinner straps encircling the ankle.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
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Existing storage facilities within Beijing’s Sixth Ring Road—an encircling expressway about 15 to 20 miles from the city center—are limited to storing a maximum of three drones or 10 core components while also being required to undergo police inspections.—
Jeremy Hsu,
ArsTechnica,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Again, his narration for the eight-part series, which used captivating cinematography and told dramatic stories of animals traversing the natural world, won an Emmy.—
Amarachi Orie,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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After recuperating from burns to his hands and face suffered in the crash, Morris went back to meet his wife in France, and eventually made their way in July back to Homewood, traversing the Atlantic this time by steamer.—
Paul Eisenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
6 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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Being too patient in the build-up also allowed City to recover their shape and shut down crossing opportunities.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Beauty tourism is reshaping how people approach cosmetic care, with travelers crossing borders for everything from salmon-DNA injections in Seoul to hair transplants in Istanbul.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circling. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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