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
The traveling circus show brings acrobats, illusionists, freaks and mysterious creatures inside its black and red tent starting Friday, April 3, and running daily through Monday, April 13.
—
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
One famous economist even took a turn as circus ringleader (more on that later).
—Bella Webb, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
Many of the same stunts have been consistently performed throughout his circus experiences, Haines said.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
New entertainment includes tribute shows to Elton John and the Eagles, plus an adults-only pop circus.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circus
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026
One famous economist even took a turn as circus ringleader (more on that later).
—Bella Webb, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026
Many of the same stunts have been consistently performed throughout his circus experiences, Haines said.
—Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
New entertainment includes tribute shows to Elton John and the Eagles, plus an adults-only pop circus.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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In practice, this means a madhouse of multimedia rooms, packed with gurgling videos and useless machines and humanoid bodies.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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Given her reputation and TikTok-famous opener Ella Langley, the badge line was a madhouse.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bosch's journey to her Miss Universe crowning was marked by several controversies — the most notable of which included a confrontation between Bosch and pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil during a pre-pageant event at the Miss Universe competition in Thailand.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
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The red carpet was almost more gauche than a Miss America pageant.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The firm managed stadium improvements for Major League Baseball’s Athletics ahead of the team’s temporary move to West Sacramento, and renovated Hughes Stadium at Sacramento City College in 2013.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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The legislation comes about a month after Independence passed a $6 billion series of tax breaks for a $150 billion artificial intelligence data center, twice the size of Arrowhead stadium, set to break ground later this year.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the end of Saturday night’s game, Kennard did what he had been acquired to do, the reason the Lakers call him off the bench, draining a 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left, sending the bench into bedlam and giving the Lakers (46-25) a 105-104 victory over the Orlando Magic (38-32).—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
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Bogle is able to cross into the box, where the two strikers are again creating bedlam for the centre-backs.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The child went through a small opening in a wooden barrier perimeter fence and entered a restricted area near the wolf exhibit, the Derry Township Police said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Inside the penguin exhibit, a cake made out of LEGO bricks honored 150 years of the zoo.—
Caroline Foreback,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This year the coliseum will also become home to The Charlotte Crown, a professional women’s basketball team.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
On the road, ordinary gyms suddenly felt like coliseums.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As one of the world’s preeminent art museums, the Prado hosts rotating exhibitions that always draw acclaim.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
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This exhibition is included with garden admission.—
Kristine Sorensen,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Or the costumes by Alejo Vietti, which shimmer with even more glitter and spectacle — and become part of the joke with every new detail added to Dion's ever-evolving gown.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Titaníque is the kind of giddy, dippy, fan-friendly spectacle that invites you to arrive a glass-and-a-half deep, literally or spiritually.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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