circular 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsər-kyə-lər How to pronounce circular (audio)
Definition of circularnext
as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

circular

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circular
Adjective
The show is circular, starting and ending with Krasner, and roughly chronological, with a few exceptions. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026 Makita also offers a number of versatile combos, which may include impact drivers, circular saws, or routers in addition to a drill. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
Canada’s largest lender also plans to increase annual compensation for its board directors by 22% to C$415,000 per year following a review by an external consultant, Royal Bank said in its annual proxy circular, filed Thursday. — Christine Dobby, Bloomberg, 5 Mar. 2026 Look for items on sale via the weekly store circular. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
  1. roundabout
  2. booklet
  3. indirect
  4. brochure
  5. leaflet
  6. folder
  7. flyer
  8. pamphlet
Adjective
  • In a roundabout fashion, Fielder and Oppenheim became the filmmakers charged with the task.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This Tavaputs country came to my attention in a roundabout way.
    — Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of roundabout
Noun
  • The quick start guide is helpful for getting the microwave ready to use, while a more extensive booklet provides the nitty-gritty details on settings and modes like the sophisticated sensor-reheating functions (more on that later).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • This box set appears to contain EVERYTHING Hank ever recorded along with a killer booklet of photos, etc.
    — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of booklet
Adjective
  • This contestation takes place through philosophical debates, religious disputations, and public discussions, whether direct or indirect, open or clandestine.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Since Yemen descended into war in 2015, the United Nations estimates that some 377,000 people have died, more than half due to indirect causes such as starvation and disease amid the fighting.
    — Dov Lieber, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of indirect
Noun
  • The Dutch Boy brand grew so popular with homeowners that the company published a poetic picture-book brochure near the end of World War I to celebrate the benefits of its paints.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But business-development brochures were never such grim reading.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of brochure
Noun
  • There, demonstrators can write postcards, distribute leaflets and learn how to phone bank and door knock, according to the No Kings Kansas City Coalition.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Nussbaum and her colleagues began passing out leaflets at Boston subway and bus stops to women heading to their jobs at downtown office buildings.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of leaflet
Noun
  • Look for unfamiliar applications in your Applications folder and review System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions for unexpected items.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Though the challenges are mostly great, the bakers struggle to rise to the occasion, to be the best thing since sliced bread, to eat and leave no crumbs, and all the other bread puns that are still in Noel’s drafts folder.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of folder
Noun
  • The University of Maryland's (UMD) tennis club has issued a public apology for distributing a flyer to other schools that included racist imagery after Howard University's tennis club called for more accountability regarding the incident.
    — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Bowen shared the audio with some of the frequent flyers at Commissioners Court, who made sure to tell Ramirez they weren’t being paid.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of flyer
Noun
  • Volunteers hand out cookies and sliced oranges for breakfast, while organizers run a workshop on collective action and others hand out pamphlets.
    — Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Guests will also receive a zine-style pamphlet with the same homespun appeal explaining each of the eight sections in RM’s words alongside a diagram of the room.
    — Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pamphlet

Browse Nearby Words

circuity
circular
circularities
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Cite this Entry

“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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