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
Relevance
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
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
This one from Urban Outfitters is a playful take on the shape with its vibrant, circus-like stripes.
—
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
The city bans most wild species altogether, except in places like zoos, circuses, or educational facilities.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The performers are shown living their lives on the circus backlot, having relationships, building families, and participating in the performance life and ecosystem of the circus.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
This article is part of our Fast Lane Living series, examining the inner workings (practical and luxurious) of Formula One’s traveling circus.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 30 Oct. 2025
The city bans most wild species altogether, except in places like zoos, circuses, or educational facilities.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
The performers are shown living their lives on the circus backlot, having relationships, building families, and participating in the performance life and ecosystem of the circus.
—JSTOR Daily, 30 Oct. 2025
This article is part of our Fast Lane Living series, examining the inner workings (practical and luxurious) of Formula One’s traveling circus.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
-
And for at least one night, 19,124 at Xfinity Mobile Arena turned the building into a madhouse, largely because the Sixers have done just that.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
-
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
-
Obama’s journey—from winning Miss Mongomo to becoming Equatorial Guinea’s Miss Universe candidate—has emerged as one of the most inspiring stories of this 74th edition of the pageant in a year that has been mired in controversy.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Joanna Abarca was named Miss Ramona and Clarissa Valenzuela was chosen as Miss Ramona First Princess at the 2026 Miss Ramona Scholarship pageant held Saturday night.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Their 14,700-capacity stadium has plenty of old-school charm but badly needs modernisation.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
This month, Johnston will wrap up a contentious and tight budget season and battle through some of the final votes on the city’s deal to bring a women’s soccer team — and stadium — to the Baker neighborhood.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Just as much bedlam erupted here at Weird and Wild World HQ.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Their journey to the Comiskey concert was typical of the bedlam that accompanied their performances.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
And enormous murals, street art, and graffiti adorn the sides of countless buildings, effectively turning the Centro into an open-air exhibit.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
From the field, the Sooners acknowledged their travel party in the coliseum’s highest heights.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The row of homes in the Queen Anne style had emerged in an era when architects were starting to be seen as artists and were lauded for putting designs together like collagists, plucking chimneys from a medieval village and arches from a Roman coliseum.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Centered upon the artwork of Holmes, the event is conceived as both an exhibition and a space for reflection.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The National Gallery of London is hosting the first major exhibition of 18th-century painter Joseph Wright, whose works captured the moral dilemma of scientific progress at the dawn of the industrial age.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Iguazú is the sort of spectacle that sticks with you, the sort of place that has the gravitas and power to provide a fitting backdrop for a big life event.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Teyana Taylor appreciates a spectacle.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share