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 Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is a looped route, one that meanders through the Chattahoochee National Forest and encircles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 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
The jet stream, a conveyor belt of air moving west to east that encircles the globe, is fueled by temperature differences between cooler regions to the north and warmer air masses to the south.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 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
The jet stream, a conveyor belt of air moving west to east that encircles the globe, is fueled by temperature differences between cooler regions to the north and warmer air masses to the south.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircles
Verb
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This 84-mile loop begins and ends in Taos and traverses the high alpine desert of northern New Mexico and several mountain towns, including Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Questa, and Red River.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
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This musical journey traverses seven decades of pop music, from the 1960s to today.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Ring of Fire surrounds much of the Pacific Ocean and is home to numerous oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and fault systems.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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Another diagnostic option involves measuring amyloid beta and certain modified forms of tau in the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, but collecting this fluid requires a lumbar puncture, which many people find too invasive.—
Robert Martone,
Scientific American,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Yet, as Team Ellison circles, the quick-footed WBD CEO supposedly has attracted the interest of Amazon and Netflix as potential buyers – or at least that’s the word on Warner Boulevard.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
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The route circles the Yucatán and connects the peninsula to the neighboring states of Chiapas and Tabasco.—
Simon Willis,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As a moon orbits a planet, the two objects gravitationally pull at one another.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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Out beyond the orbit of Triton, which orbits Neptune in a little under 6 days, the other Neptunian moons have their orbital periods measured in years, and appear at a wide variety of angles and with large eccentricities.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Memories are unearthed, resentments are shared, emotions are felt — and very little of it rings true.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
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Then, suddenly, from the top of the theater stairs, a voice rings out.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Chosen by Fortune editors for their measurable impact, strategy reach, and capacity to shape the future, MPW Asia 2025 includes founders, CEOs, and other C-suite leaders whose influence crosses borders and industries.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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The trail quickly crosses the lush riparian meander of Christopher Creek.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encircles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircles. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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