circus

noun

ˈsər-kəs How to pronounce circus (audio)
Definition of circusnext
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
3
as in stadium
a large usually roofless building for sporting events with tiers of seats for spectators the Roman circus is believed to have held 50,000 spectators in ancient times

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 circus Between absurd resale prices and the logistical circus of match day, plenty of fans will be watching from places beyond the stadium. — Ali Farooqui, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 Amid the intense media circus and a gaggle of Chevalier fangirls, Kelly-Anne searches the dark web for a missing piece of evidence that could help secure his conviction — but her reasons for doing so are anything but noble. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 Clown couture or not, Wun is the master showman of an impressive, enviable circus. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 8 July 2026 The agonizing legal circus surrounding Sumner Redstone’s final years at Paramount/Viacom is a sobering cautionary tale. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
  1. madhouse
  2. pageant
  3. stadium
  4. bedlam
  5. exhibit
  6. coliseum
  7. exhibition
  8. spectacle
Noun
  • Whereas this evening in the Spanish Gothic madhouse of the United Theater, most every song from Melanie’s Hadean pageant is received with near word-perfect communalism.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026
  • Headphones are often my saving grace in this madhouse.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of madhouse
Noun
  • Aquino had recently been awarded second place in the regional pageant, which precedes the national Miss Universe Honduras pageant.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Beyond her work in pageants, Malcolm was an actress, television presenter, and dance instructor.
    — Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
Definition of pageant
Noun
  • Though the World Cup avoided issues with ICE raids at stadiums, the agency this summer has been responsible for shootings that killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Beyond a stadium that was barely at 10% capacity, many around the city were unaware of not only the Open Cup match, but the Wizards themselves.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
Definition of stadium
Noun
  • Against this bedlam, Rhaenyra tries to fashion herself a real queen.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The scene around me was one of utter bedlam, with stadium officials even joining in the celebrations.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Definition of bedlam
Noun
  • The house, now a visitor’s center with exhibits and a souvenir shop, is free to access, but guided tours of the house and battlefields are available for purchase.
    — Zuri Primos July 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • The ticket includes, among other things, access to exhibits, nature paths and a train ride.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of exhibit
Noun
  • The move to North Main Street brought more Stockyards visitors and cowboys headed to Billy Bob’s Texas or the coliseum rodeos.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • With the tattoo tables pushed to the side, the room becomes a coliseum for adults going to war with Beyblades, a children’s toy made popular a quarter of a century ago.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 24 June 2026
Definition of coliseum
Noun
  • The second floor will feature a gallery to showcase the history of race relations in North Texas, honoring Rouse's memory with a permanent gallery, interpretive exhibitions, and educational programming.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
  • Duncan helped stage several exhibitions of Pousette-Dart’s work, including a showcase celebrating the centennial of his birth at the Whitney Museum of American Art, to an exhibition at the Museum Frieder Burda in Baden-Baden, Germany.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 22 July 2026
Definition of exhibition
Noun
  • Black grief is not a spectacle for the news cycle to consume and move past.
    — Melissa S. Johnson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
  • The problem of non-competitive midseason spectacles lives on for another group to try to solve.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 26 July 2026
Definition of spectacle

Phrases Containing circus

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circumvents
circus
circuses
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Cite this Entry

“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circus

Nglish: Translation of circus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circus

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