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 circus band is a combination of adult and student musicians.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The president sets the tone, and so far, Donald Trump has encouraged and enabled the circus of craziness.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
For a few hours this morning, the three of them were comically sitting on the magic number of 7-2, which was like watching a pod of circus elephants trying unsuccessfully to stand on the same little pedestal in the ring.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
The circus performance will be on Friday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m., with a band call at 3 p.m..
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2025
The president sets the tone, and so far, Donald Trump has encouraged and enabled the circus of craziness.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
For a few hours this morning, the three of them were comically sitting on the magic number of 7-2, which was like watching a pod of circus elephants trying unsuccessfully to stand on the same little pedestal in the ring.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
The circus performance will be on Friday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m., with a band call at 3 p.m..
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 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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The pageant featured contestants dressed in elaborate costumes tied back to the city's humble yet iconic bird.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
18 June 2025
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On the side, the former beauty pageant queen creates handmade jewelry via her company, House of Mitti. #35.—
Steven Bertoni,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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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
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The city wanted to renovate the current stadium, which opened in 1999 on the site of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
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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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
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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
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 4 Jul. 2025.
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