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 His next two projects, however, take place amidst a more contemporary circus environment. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 July 2026 Also featured are the coming-of-age stories The Summer That Ended Twice from Italy and the German Paradeisa, as well as the Danish social documentary If Luck Will Come, which follows a circus for disadvantaged children in Afghanistan. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 Saturday, July 4 One of the area’s largest Independence Day events will include a carnival, circus, concerts, eating competitions, a parade and of course, fireworks. — Camila Pedrosa july 2, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 Classics like Vampire Blood and Ghoul Friend are back in fresh packaging for 2026, and the accompanying decor pieces are perfect for anyone who loves a spooky circus theme. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 2 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
  • Headphones are often my saving grace in this madhouse.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Definition of madhouse
Noun
  • The World Cup doubles as a beauty pageant for each country’s fans, who strut around, sing their anthems, and try their best to look hot, happy, and, above all, passionate.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • Kirsten Dunst, Brittany Murphy, Denise Richards, Allison Janney, Amy Adams, and a small-town beauty pageant for the crowning title of Dairy Queen—what more is there to say?
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 4 July 2026
Definition of pageant
Noun
  • Thirty years later, the league has helped erect 22 soccer-specific stadiums and numerous world-class training facilities.
    — Kamran Nia July 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
  • Barely a month ago, there was plenty of fretting that FIFA had grossly overestimated the crowds that would descend on the tournament’s host cities and stadiums.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 9 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 proceedings were frequently bogged down by arguments over whether certain exhibits could be admitted into evidence and publicly broadcast via a camera in the courtroom.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Best Shopping Plaka Pore over a fascinating array of sand exhibits and pick up memorabilia made with sand, wood, and glass from Milos Sand Gallery.
    — Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 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 exhibition coincides with Oyer’s fifth portrait book release, which features selections from his extensive archive.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • The exhibition comes about two years after Brown began fully embracing her identity as a trans woman.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Definition of exhibition
Noun
  • From her club seat with her friends, season ticket-holder Jade Greenhut captured the center circle spectacle.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • What Campos loved was the show, the spectacle, the opportunity for self-expression.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 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 14 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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