1
as in disseminating
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
circulate the plans for the new stadium around town to get people's reaction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whispering
to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy
circulated a rumor that someone was about to be fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in spreading
to become known
the prince denies the story about an extramarital affair that's been circulating in the tabloids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 circulating
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a U-Haul truck moving quickly through a dense crowd as people screamed.
—
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The modern digital landscape is dominated by warring platforms and constantly changing monetization schemes, leaving the average consumer with a daily scroll permeated by ads, slop, and the same six viral videos that have been circulating for years.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
There's no need to take shots of olive oil, a trend currently circulating on social media.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
The circulating bird flu has been confirmed in the Bay State, as agricultural officials report that backyard chickens tested positive for the disease and were killed.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
That account has been disputed by Minneapolis officials and activists who point to videos circulating online that appear to show Good’s vehicle moving away from agents when shots were fired.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Authorities shut down internet access and phone lines shortly after protests erupted in Tehran and other major cities, though the blackout did not immediately stop videos of the demonstrations — now in their second week — from circulating online.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The school said there are reports about the shooting circulating on social media that are false, and asked people not to share unverified information.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Videos circulating on social media showed the woman recording staff while accusing them of harassment.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The modern digital landscape is dominated by warring platforms and constantly changing monetization schemes, leaving the average consumer with a daily scroll permeated by ads, slop, and the same six viral videos that have been circulating for years.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2026
There's no need to take shots of olive oil, a trend currently circulating on social media.
—Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 10 Jan. 2026
The circulating bird flu has been confirmed in the Bay State, as agricultural officials report that backyard chickens tested positive for the disease and were killed.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
That account has been disputed by Minneapolis officials and activists who point to videos circulating online that appear to show Good’s vehicle moving away from agents when shots were fired.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
Authorities shut down internet access and phone lines shortly after protests erupted in Tehran and other major cities, though the blackout did not immediately stop videos of the demonstrations — now in their second week — from circulating online.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
The school said there are reports about the shooting circulating on social media that are false, and asked people not to share unverified information.
—Todd Feurer, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Videos circulating on social media showed the woman recording staff while accusing them of harassment.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circulating
Verb
-
Not one suggested disseminating their Know2Protect public awareness program, a free, readily available tool for parents, kids and schools.—
Maureen Flatley,
Boston Herald,
6 Dec. 2025
-
He was also charged with disseminating and possessing bestiality material, police said.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Joe is plagued with visions of his dead father during his therapy sessions and hears disembodied voices whispering while hanging out with friends.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The influencer was seen whispering into the ear of the football star and father of three as well as putting her hand on his back.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In short, those spreading the lie that more high-rise construction and less preservation are the keys to solving our affordability crisis are the same people who are building market-rate housing that only the super wealthy can afford.—
Michael S. Hiller,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Last week, the grandmother learned that the disease had become terminal after spreading to her brain and lungs, WIFR reported.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Robinhood is known for propagating meme-stock mania, making its founders billionaires, and changing how Americans invest.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Torres Maczassek and her brother, Miguel, are considered leaders in climate-change response, including uncovering and re-propagating nearly extinct grape varieties that may fare better in extreme heat and drought.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At my feet, the pale folds of cloth gradually came apart, revealing two half-open eyes, surrounded by curly hair, which, tossed by the turbulence, looked strangely alive.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Videos making their way past Iran’s internet blackout circulated over the weekend, revealing harrowing scenes from earlier in the week.—
Hira Humayun,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Not long after, that source became unreachable, suggesting the blackout had widened even further.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
By season's end, Pine and his boss, Angela Burr (Colman), succeeded in bringing Roper down, with the finale suggesting Roper's violent end at the hands of his own buyers.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The White House press secretary noted that the Department of Justice has convicted and prosecuted nearly 100 defendants in Minnesota so far, hinting that there may be more charges forthcoming for others based on additional reporting.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Of those participating, Richie Laryea, Mathieu Choinière, Jonathan Osorio and Joel Waterman are among those most likely in frame for the 2026 World Cup, while wild card Marcelo Flores will also participate, hinting that a full-time switch from Mexico to Canada could be in the cards.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circulating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circulating. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
