CIRCUSES Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

circuses

noun

plural of circus

as in stadiums

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

as in madhouses

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

as in pageants

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 circuses These feats would later move to circuses but, despite its proud history, strongman only became an official sport in 1977 with the inaugural World’s Strongest Man. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 By now, not even third-rate circuses would hire me, much less an outfit like Hep Spyder’s, the World’s Famous Bushwick Circus. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 The best World Cup base camps have tended to be quiet ones, with squads that hole up in small towns and bond away from the spotlight routinely outlasting teams stationed amid bigger circuses. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Indeed, some of our oligarchs actually own the circuses. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 Exotic animals were not typically a feature of carnivals; circuses, yes, but not carnivals. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 In terms of performances and safety, the Triton Troupers Circus is like other circuses. — Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 Signs discussing the use of Blackface and Minstrel music in traveling circuses were submitted. — Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026 The stark reality Stark toured with circuses until the late 1940s, when she was hired by Jungleland, a zoo located outside of Los Angeles. — Alessandro Meregaglia, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuses

Noun

But the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday amended the map to remove portions of the 3rd District — which is the district the Chiefs and Royals are leaving for their new stadiums.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Against all odds, and after decades of attempts, the band was finally packing many of the same stadiums as Queen at their peak.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of stadiums

Noun

Because JonBenét had won several child beauty pageants, images of her in makeup and garish costumes created a spectacle around the case (which is still unsolved), and around the Ramseys.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024, and continued to hold the title as there were no further pageants after that, the outlets reported.

— Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pageants

Noun

Alongside the art for sale, visitors can encounter site-specific works, special exhibitions and public programs that offer various ways into Atlanta’s contemporary art scene and the broader conversations shaping it.

— Andrew Alexander, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026
The Mexico initiative initially was also expected to include a football bowl game in 2026 in Monterrey, as well as future exhibitions for Big 12 baseball and soccer teams.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhibitions

Noun

There's also mammal dioramas, live animals, and other rotating exhibits.

— Andrew Stelzer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
Another project would involve replacing 17 wayside exhibits at backcountry trailheads and three in the Cottonwood Spring area and adding three new interpretive wayside exhibits on the Mastodon Peak Loop.

— Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhibits

Noun

At best, these robot spectacles are funny or wildly optimistic about technology.

— Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026
There’s an almost comically blasé way in which the performers — who are used to such spectacles — go about their work an hour before thousands of audience members will gasp and clap at the same tricks.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of spectacles

Noun

Those who visit annually or several times during the year are deeply passionate about the live shows, character meet-and-greets, holiday food specials, seasonal festivals and parades and nighttime spectaculars that these parks provide.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Sure, the city has fantastic architecture, world-class restaurants, Broadway spectaculars, and those oh-so-gorgeous hotels.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of spectaculars

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circus

circuses

cirque

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“Circuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuses. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of circuses

noun

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