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 results will show young women who look an awful lot like circus clowns, with faces hidden under layers of masks, gels, serums, and even face tape.
—
Jana Pollack, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
Davis joined the traveling circus.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Also in play is Octopussy (Maud Adams) and her traveling circus, whom Orlov is using as a front for his smuggling operation.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Picture a circus ring where all kinds of images might suddenly and inexplicably appear out of nowhere.
—Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circus
Jana Pollack, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026
Davis joined the traveling circus.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026
Also in play is Octopussy (Maud Adams) and her traveling circus, whom Orlov is using as a front for his smuggling operation.
—Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2026
Picture a circus ring where all kinds of images might suddenly and inexplicably appear out of nowhere.
—Michael Pollan, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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In the fourth quarter, Soldier Field was an absolute madhouse with 60,000-plus waving towels, chewing fingernails, frothing at the mouth and … grating cheese?—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
11 Jan. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
The Miss Intercontinental 2025 pageant, which seeks the most beautiful woman from all continents, was supposed to take place last year but was postponed to January 2026 for logistical reasons.—
Sarah Moreno
February 6,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Another beauty pageant, Miss Arizona USA, has not seen a winner from the 48th state but multiple runner-ups for the top honor.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The same kind of judgment is needed in the camera well at a baseball stadium.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
On Wednesday, lefty starter Kyle Freeland, right-handed starter Ryan Feltner, and closer candidate Victor Vodnik threw in the main stadium at Salt River.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Another centered on a teenage girl (Chloë Sevigny doppelgänger Emma Halleen), whose insecurities blind her to a life that is, on its surface, pretty good, finds a palpable sadness within the bedlam of the show.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Jan. 2026
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Its trading floor — the setting for most of the hostile financial bedlam — was last seen smothered in tarpaulin while awaiting closure after the bank was acquired by an Egyptian sovereign wealth fund.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The order also says officials must continue to properly maintain the site, including the grounds, video monitors, recordings and exhibits.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
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The artist’s sister, Tina Banas, said the exhibit was spectacular.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the parking lot outside of the coliseum, fans paused to peer inside three racecars Biffle drove during his career.—
Steve Reed,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The coliseum concert marked The Format’s first full-band performance since 2007, although Means and Ruess surprised fans at a 2020 viewing party for a Format concert film in downtown Phoenix with a full unplugged reunion concert.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Portland’s Damian Lillard joined Bird and Craig Hodges (1990-92) as the only three-time winners with a stunning exhibition in the final round, ending up with a score of 29 — two better than runner-up and 2018 champion Devin Booker of Phoenix.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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Being a part of the exhibition at MoMu then, alongside other contemporary designers like Studio Nazzal and Zeid Hijazi, feels particularly remarkable.—
Zoe Whitfield,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Here, the brand positioned itself not as a narrator but as a host — facilitating collective experience rather than staging spectacle.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The spectacle surrounding the case has only been exacerbated by a flurry of anonymous notes to media organizations, variously claiming to know Guthrie’s location, demanding payment for her safe return, or even alleging to be the kidnappers themselves.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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