1
as in traverses
to travel completely around
communication satellites encircling the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in surrounds
to form a circle around
immediately after announcing their engagement, the couple was encircled by their applauding friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encircles
The trail encircles a large, ADA-accessible playground and also provides views of the South Bend skyline.
—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Instead of a mountain of mounded mulch, aim for more of a doughnut shape of mulch that encircles the trunk.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Each element encircles a central void, which Robertson describes as symbolic thresholds–portals between identities, spaces, and ideas.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Of course, the vote passes and the Imperial Fleet encircles the planet, all according to plan.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Instead of a mountain of mounded mulch, aim for more of a doughnut shape of mulch that encircles the trunk.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2025
Each element encircles a central void, which Robertson describes as symbolic thresholds–portals between identities, spaces, and ideas.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Of course, the vote passes and the Imperial Fleet encircles the planet, all according to plan.
—Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircles
Verb
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The film’s story spans thousands of years and traverses multiple continents, with locations ranging from Antarctica to Africa to the titular Indian city.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
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Published in 1994, The Riders follows Scully, an Australian man who traverses Europe, alongside his young daughter Billie, in search of the wife that abandoned them.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Political candidates from around Indiana have been redoing paperwork for this spring’s primary ballot as confusion surrounds whether the secretary of state’s office properly processed those forms.—
Tom Davies,
IndyStar,
5 Feb. 2026
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Such is the kind of spotlight that surrounds human trafficking during Super Bowl week.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The polar vortex is a persistent, large-scale cyclone that circles the Arctic and contains extremely cold air.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
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But this award, which was inaugurated in 2023 with a Jesso win, circles the same handful of writers, and country scribes like Jessie Jo Dillon, pop bards like Amy Allen, and reggaeton men-at-arms like Edgar Barrera are just as up next.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Psyche is a nickel-iron core asteroid that orbits the sun beyond Mars anywhere from 235 million to 309 million miles away.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
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Because the station orbits Earth once every 90 minutes, the crew on board sees 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Applause rings out, cheers and whoops are abundant.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2026
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Payton’s perception of him then rings true in the present.—
Trevor Woods,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But to enter the church, berate peaceful worshipers and scare children crosses a line.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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Participants cross over to Miami Beach, and the route crosses the Rickenbacker Causeway and winds through neighborhoods in Brickell and Coconut Grove.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encircles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircles. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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