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
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Recent Examples of circus
Brennan mostly views the NFL circus as a unique — meaning, singular — marketing tour de force.
—
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
While the circus arts and dance numbers are dazzling, the challenge was to use the two forms of movement in a way that would serve the narrative of the story.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Oct. 2025
The flan, which comes with a little circus of fruits and creams and cookies, is fine.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Two of those went to receiver Braylin Barnett, both in circus fashion.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
While the circus arts and dance numbers are dazzling, the challenge was to use the two forms of movement in a way that would serve the narrative of the story.
—Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Oct. 2025
The flan, which comes with a little circus of fruits and creams and cookies, is fine.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025
Two of those went to receiver Braylin Barnett, both in circus fashion.
—Jordan Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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Instead of the orgiastic madhouse that fans of Monster and American Horror Story have grown accustomed to, Devil in Disguise is a somber affair, as aesthetically chilly as a December in Des Plaines, Illinois.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
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Hyeseong Kim, getting his first taste of the postseason in a madhouse game, scampered home from third, joining the mass of bodies in pure elation while Kerkering remained frozen, hands on his knees.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To celebrate the news, Brie’s mom Kendra, who operates her social media profile, shared a pair of sweet photos of her daughter sitting on the couch with her pageant sash and a handful of medals from the Baby Miss America organization.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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The Virgin Suicides, and the teen pageant satire Drop Dead Gorgeous.—
Keaton Bell,
Vogue,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Higgins pointed out that land-intensive projects, like the Miami Freedom Park soccer stadium project, could have included housing on the premises.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
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In 1929, on the eve of the first game held in the stadium, workers planted the hedges overnight, giving birth to one of college football’s most enduring visual trademarks.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Just as much bedlam erupted here at Weird and Wild World HQ.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Their journey to the Comiskey concert was typical of the bedlam that accompanied their performances.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The canopy bed was a relic reserved for The Met’s Decorative Arts exhibits.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
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Applicants must demonstrate a consistent record of creative production or sales, such as taking part in art fairs, markets, exhibits or online sales.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The row of homes in the Queen Anne style had emerged in an era when architects were starting to be seen as artists and were lauded for putting designs together like collagists, plucking chimneys from a medieval village and arches from a Roman coliseum.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
7 Oct. 2025
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The coliseum concert marks The Format’s first full-band performance since 2007, although Sam Means and Nate Ruess did surprise fans at a 2020 viewing party for a Format concert film in downtown Phoenix with a full unplugged reunion concert.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The exhibition showcases a diverse range of collections, including paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, works in wood and textiles, and more.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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Plus, David Seifert of D1Baseball recaps his visit to Fayetteville to watch Arkansas defeat Dallas Baptist in an exhibition game at Baum-Walker Stadium.—
Christina Long,
Arkansas Online,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Still, there is a thread that connects the spectacle of Formula 1 with the everyday act of driving – the relentless pursuit of safety, and the transformative power of technology and standards to save lives on the road.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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The 2025 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was held on Wednesday in Brooklyn, New York, continuing the brand’s famous runway spectacle tradition.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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