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 Hugo, Oklahoma, facility was established as ShowMe Tigers — Easley’s traveling big cat show — increased its focus on conservation and looked for a permanent home where visitors could learn about its retired circus animals, according to the Growler Pines website.
—
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
But a large portion came from the eastern United States and most likely knew of monkeys only from stories, or perhaps a visiting circus.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 21 Sep. 2025
Everyone from Alice Cooper to circus animal puppeteers have graced our stages.
—Dan Stoltz, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
The biggest pieces in the parade, the circus elephants of the menagerie, were Abrams tanks.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 22 Sep. 2025
But a large portion came from the eastern United States and most likely knew of monkeys only from stories, or perhaps a visiting circus.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 21 Sep. 2025
Everyone from Alice Cooper to circus animal puppeteers have graced our stages.
—Dan Stoltz, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
The biggest pieces in the parade, the circus elephants of the menagerie, were Abrams tanks.
—Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 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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The earthquake nterrupted the Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 beauty pageant in Cebu City, Philippines.—
Rajeev Tyagi,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
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Beauty pageant contestants were seen in another video running off the stage as the earthquake started.—
Brandon Miller,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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And Saturday morning at the stadium in Pasadena wasn’t much better.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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But before heading to the stadium, Jones reportedly witnessed a dead body floating in the water outside the team's hotel in Marina del Rey, California.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Just as much bedlam erupted here at Weird and Wild World HQ.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
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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 center features plenty of interactive exhibits, camps and games for children and a Fossil Frontier where guests can explore fossils from across Tennessee.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
1 Oct. 2025
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He was first arrested in 2012 in Palm Beach County, Florida, on charges of battery, improper exhibit of a firearm or dangerous weapon and criminal mischief, with only criminal mischief upheld.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Mike Crum, director of Fort Worth’s Public Events Department, said that money will be used to expand the coliseum’s concourse and update restroom and concession areas, among other improvements.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The exhibition focuses on the communities’ deep roots in various San Diego County neighborhoods — from Julian to La Jolla to Logan Heights — and how gentrification, highway development and discriminatory housing policies led to their displacement.—
Maura Fox,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Last week at Chelsea Walls Gallery, Nike NYC’s Light Work photo exhibition came alive with a powerful display of summer basketball culture through the lens of emerging photographers.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The entire concert is a spectacle — all black and red, smoke and snakes.—
Janey Tracey,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
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In addition to its astrological influence — reaching its peak in the sign of Aries — October’s supermoon will also be a mystical spectacle.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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