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

Thanksgiving always has produced an interesting dynamic with five tall, energetic kids circling for a turkey leg. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

These are two companies that have been circling each other seemingly somewhat in competition. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026

In fact, Murai was nervous about pulling off such a long scene of an actor effectively just reading out names and circling them with a marker pen. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Related Stories The series follows Jimmy Frank (Franco), an eccentric ad agency CEO who projects confidence and humor while contending with risk and unresolved fallout from his past, including criminal and supernatural threats circling his company. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

After a summer of fits and starts, with multibillion dollar developments circling the city, Fort Worth took major steps on Tuesday to regulate and limit the growth of data centers — with a potential moratorium now taking shape. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026

One witness said rescue crews could be seen circling around a life jacket at one point. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

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