1
as in madhouse
a place of uproar or confusion
with seven kids in the house, it's a circus most of the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event
the media circus that took place outside the courthouse every day of the murder trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of circus
Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan could very well have joined the circus, what with how well the writer and producer can spin a dozen different plates.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
The idea was that the dog would not die before the boy went to college, or joined the circus.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Because of this and his family name, Arch’s recruiting process was set to be a media circus, but with the help of his parents, Arch and his family shut that down to maintain his focus on making the best decision.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Cash on the sidelines can be the safety net for the wild circus on Wall Street.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
The idea was that the dog would not die before the boy went to college, or joined the circus.
—Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
Because of this and his family name, Arch’s recruiting process was set to be a media circus, but with the help of his parents, Arch and his family shut that down to maintain his focus on making the best decision.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Cash on the sidelines can be the safety net for the wild circus on Wall Street.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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The madhouse of awards season and all its many, many controversies — not to mention an ongoing parade of natural and man-made disasters — has until now perhaps overshadowed some of the year’s lower-stakes joys.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
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But things move fast in the Goodison madhouse.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Attractions include kitschy traditions such as a butter-sculpting demonstration, in which a master carver crafts a bust of the winner of the annual Princess Kay of the Milky Way pageant, and the Miracle of Birth Center, displaying pens of expectant farm animals.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Champion later revealed to Vestavia Voice that she was first scouted at one of her sister's pageants.—
Arielle Tschinkel,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Great stadium, great atmosphere.—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Then there was the chaotic last-minute switch to hosting Sunday’s La Liga game against Valencia at the 6,000-capacity stadium by Barca’s training ground.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Just as much bedlam erupted here at Weird and Wild World HQ.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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Their journey to the Comiskey concert was typical of the bedlam that accompanied their performances.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Admission to the reception and the exhibit is free.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
11 Sep. 2025
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The exhibit of 150 archival looks is part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Armani’s namesake company.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mike Crum, director of Fort Worth’s Public Events Department, said that money will be used to expand the coliseum’s concourse and update restroom and concession areas, among other improvements.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Aug. 2025
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The outdoor sets will bookend The Format’s headlining performance in the coliseum.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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On the second day of the fair, Rossini took me on a tour of some of her favorite attractions—a ride on the SkyGlider chairlift, a visit to the crop-art exhibition, which featured several intricate portraits of Taylor Swift made entirely from seeds.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Up until his passing, Armani was working on a retrospective exhibition and a runway show to celebrate 50 years of being in business.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Expect spectacle, but also a story about claiming identity and embracing power.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
10 Sep. 2025
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Topline After a quiet 2025 for comets, skywatchers may soon get a very special naked-eye spectacle in the shape of Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6).—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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