1
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
Relevance
2
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
Either way Read will have a long time behind bars to contemplate whether the circus was worth it.
—
Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 4 June 2025
Traditional leagues don’t need to become circus acts.
—John Cairney, Sportico.com, 24 May 2025
Pancake Festival The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society hosts its 18th annual Pancake Festival honoring the military from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Webb Park with live music, a circus demonstration team, a silent auction and face painting.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
Now the circus has pulled down the tent for the year; the star attractions are leaving town.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 4 June 2025
Traditional leagues don’t need to become circus acts.
—John Cairney, Sportico.com, 24 May 2025
Pancake Festival The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society hosts its 18th annual Pancake Festival honoring the military from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Webb Park with live music, a circus demonstration team, a silent auction and face painting.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
Now the circus has pulled down the tent for the year; the star attractions are leaving town.
—Thomas Page, CNN Money, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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The South Bay stadium will also host matches in this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, which includes the United States’ matchup with Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2025
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Venues often consolidate visitors when there are empty seats, largely to streamline operations ranging from stadium security to concessions management.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
13 June 2025
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 Knicks still hadn’t learned to communicate on the floor, and often missed coverages by a mile, leading to a pageant of unmolested open jumpers.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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Alana Thompson, also known as Honey Boo Boo, is a former beauty pageant contestant.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Noun
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Situated directly below the Main Stand, players can hear everything happening above, like gladiators waiting to enter the coliseum.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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Newsletter Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news Tales of gladiators going head-to-head with ferocious lions in ancient Rome’s coliseum are legendary.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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Amid bedlam in the stands at Old Trafford, Maguire’s intense but stoic reaction to his winner against Lyon stood out.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The Waukegan Public Library has periodic art exhibits.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2025
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The extension service’s master gardeners will show off a caterpillar display, and the master naturalists will have multiple exhibits.—
Beth Lipoff,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2025
Noun
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The exhibition will feature original pieces and lithographs, available for purchase.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
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And the fact that Venice hosts the world’s most prestigious contemporary art exhibition, the Art Biennale (next edition is 2026) is reason enough to visit.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Noun
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Racetracks like Saratoga have attempted to make the weekend a spectacle, with bands and activities throughout the races in hopes of showing the greatness of horse racing and what a day at the track looks like.—
Spencer Ripchik,
Baltimore Sun,
6 June 2025
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The spectacle, unintended yet symbolic, brought a moment of reflection—a metaphor for the uneasy embrace between nature and technology.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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