as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in booklet
a short printed publication with no cover or with a paper cover
promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circular
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
This approach, the researchers explain, is a perfect example of a circular economy.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Other ways to save on eggs include using store circulars, or buying them with a cash-back credit card.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Adjective
While intricate florist’s roses (such as double English roses) do have an extremely layered look to them—and definitely the most prominent in the display—a keen eye might spot a few flowers that have the distinct circular layering of ranunculus.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Aug. 2025
This approach, the researchers explain, is a perfect example of a circular economy.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
But the bigger problem now is the big bang of agency memos, bulletins, circulars, and other forms of regulatory dark matter—edicts that bypass traditional public-notice rulemaking procedures, allegedly lack the force of law, yet few are brave enough to ignore.
—Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Other ways to save on eggs include using store circulars, or buying them with a cash-back credit card.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
Adjective
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Fishers nixes plans for another Allisonville roundabout after crash spike at 96th Street circle Noblesville has dominated Indiana soccer for years.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
4 Sep. 2025
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As such, the networks aren’t on the hook for makegoods in the increasingly unlikely event of under-deliveries, which is a roundabout way of suggesting that the annual audience tallies are mostly of interest to PR types.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Also, Zojirushi appliances of all types (rice cookers included) come with dense, sometimes hard-to-follow instruction booklets.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Sep. 2025
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Each colorway will also come with a charm to match its respective heel logo, and packaging will include a booklet charting all 23 stories for the sneaker.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At nearly 24,000 acres, the fire is advancing toward indirect containment lines as firing operations progress.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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In the past, these placements were also a reliable driver of indirect traffic, boosting your SERP visibility and nudging readers back to your site.—
Noa Eshed,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This week Israeli drones circled over several areas in and around the city to drop leaflets, according to Gaza City residents, telling people to evacuate to south of Wadi Gaza, which bisects the Strip.—
Mahmoud Atef,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
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To deadhead roses, cut the stems back to just above a leaf node or set of five leaflets.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The promotional brochure in the exhibit presents that ideal resident lounging on the bed, smoking a Marlboro while talking on the phone.—
Anthony Paletta,
Curbed,
2 Sep. 2025
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Cox said the most common artifacts were brochures.—
Myrna Petlicki,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Associated PressThe folders included hundreds of images of court documents dating back years, along with video clips that appeared to show police body camera footage from searches and interviews conducted with victims.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Authorities also found two folders containing drawings, engravings and prints containing German text, which are believed to date to the 1940s.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The watch proved successful after managing to catch a man littering hate flyers across the neighborhood.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Sep. 2025
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The October call was placed before any missing-person fliers about Wade had made it to Alaska, according to Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Camilla Warrick.—
Bjorn Dihle,
Outdoor Life,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The black box, or boxed, warning refers to a prominent warning encased in a bold black border in the labeling or pamphlet of some medications.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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The sculpture took seven years to build, according to an online pamphlet from the Secretary of State's office.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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