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 world’s highest waterfall cable climb traverses 1,476 vertical feet and offers three levels of challenge (Level 3 is worth it just for the helicopter ride back to the base from the top).—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
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Hailey Bieber Bieber’s style traverses the ultra-trendy and the timeless.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Seasonal rains help replenish our hillsides and open spaces, turning them vibrant green and reminding us of the natural beauty that surrounds our neighborhoods.—
Chuck Page,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Bubble fears surrounds stocks within the Magnificent 7 — Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla — as well as Oracle and Softbank and other tech companies’ multi-billion-dollar investments in the unrelenting buildout of humungous data centers to power their AI systems.—
Bob Woods,
CNBC,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For all the talk that circles the retail industry about AI’s promise, the fact is that Americans still fear job loss and replacement because of AI.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Dec. 2025
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The sprawling west-bank complex, with seating areas tucked around the winding gardens and a slim white cat that circles the breakfast tables with palpable hopefulness, was originally created by the indomitable Zeina Aboukheir, an Italian Lebanese designer.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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At Real Madrid, Bellingham is not the star around whom everything orbits in the same way, sharing the stage with Kylian Mbappe and operating with less freedom in attack.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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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,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That rings hollow considering Martinez’s long history of taking actions that have also stoked fear in the Jewish community.—
Kevin Wilk,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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The patient thriller finds Agnes lonely in her seedy motel, with a phone that often rings, though the person on the other end of the line never speaks.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sections of the Tamiami Trail, a scenic highway that crosses the Everglades, have been elevated to allow water to flow.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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That is the creative energy that crosses everything together, that sustains and fosters growth and enhances everything in life.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encircles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircles. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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