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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circus
Caricatured by Honoré Daumier and his lesser followers always as a mountebank, a charlatan, a circus clown, Louis Napoleon could normalize the extent of his outrages by the seeming harmlessness of his absurdities.
—
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Good morning from Los Angeles, On a circus of a night at Dodger Stadium, the home team emptied out its clown car full of pitchers to beat the Padres once again.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
President Trump and his flying circus are about to meet the consequences of unleashing krakens in their first 100 days.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
In it, three magician brothers reunite from the circus world for one last impossible heist: stealing a priceless twin mummy from an impenetrable fortress to save their family legacy.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 June 2025
Good morning from Los Angeles, On a circus of a night at Dodger Stadium, the home team emptied out its clown car full of pitchers to beat the Padres once again.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 June 2025
President Trump and his flying circus are about to meet the consequences of unleashing krakens in their first 100 days.
—Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
In it, three magician brothers reunite from the circus world for one last impossible heist: stealing a priceless twin mummy from an impenetrable fortress to save their family legacy.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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The madhouse of awards season and all its many, many controversies — not to mention an ongoing parade of natural and man-made disasters — has until now perhaps overshadowed some of the year’s lower-stakes joys.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
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But things move fast in the Goodison madhouse.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
9 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Jordon was a cheerleader in high school and college, attended Bridgewater State, and remains active on the pageant circuit.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
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Fans are also able to purchase POP Pageant Package tickets, which allow access to a pre-show pageant that includes VIP-only merch, a laminate, and early access to venues.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Noun
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Another 2,200 people are expected to walk from MBTA stations; 1,100 people are expected to walk or bike to the stadium, and remaining 10%, or 1,100 spectators are projected to arrive by rideshare, per the city’s draft transportation plan.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
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Tickets are on sale now for the annual Southside Summer Festival presented by Marist High School from 4 to 10 p.m. July 19 at the stadium, 4030 W. 115th St., Chicago.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
Noun
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The bedlam accompanying the group’s distribution practices, aid workers say, was entirely predictable.—
Bilal Shbeir,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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Hand 103, Bethel, 102 ½. There was bedlam, Hand kids screaming and jumping and yelling and hugging each other.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
Noun
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Flair was one of numerous WWE superstars at Javits Center in New York, and the makeshift superstar entrance was undoubtedly the most popular exhibit, short of any panels.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
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The fair features a wide variety of activities and events, including rides, entertainment, exhibits, food and more.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Despite the loss, Friday night was a lot of fun inside the coliseum.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
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Designed as a coastal oasis, its coliseum pool features a backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, with scenic views of the luscious Pelican Hill Golf Club.—
Dahvi Shira,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Noun
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The exhibition includes very early designs made from decaying fabrics.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
25 June 2025
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Titled after the 1995 album by Orange County riot grrrl band Emily’s Sassy Lime, featured artists in the show, the exhibition takes youth–its awkwardness, radicality, resilience–as both theme and inspiration.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
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Star Spangled Symphony in the Rockies Colorado Springs is famed for its annual Fourth of July spectacle with the city's Star Spangled Symphony.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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The sequel promises to deliver bigger spectacle and higher stakes.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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