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 Rock Creek Loop traverses approximately seven miles of ravines, creeks, subtropical forest, and small footbridges.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
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Lake-effect snow is anticipated as cold air traverses the relatively warm waters of the Great Lakes, with several inches of accumulation and hazardous travel possible, especially near Lakes Erie and Ontario.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Yet, their followings are distinct from the quasi-religious fervor thar surrounds Khan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
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Last year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes cracked open the door to dispel a bit of mystique that surrounds his nominating committee.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
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The menu at the motel’s restaurant, ISH Kitchen, circles the globe from Mediterranean shawarma to Japanese ramen to a Vietnamese dish of marinated ground beef wrapped in kaffir lime leaves.—
Melanie Haiken,
Outside,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That's because of how the moon orbits our planet.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
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Supermoons happen because of how the moon orbits our planet, say experts, which isn't a neat little circle.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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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
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The sound of a third gunshot then rings out.—
Chris Looft,
ABC News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Reader's Digest singled out Arizona's portion of Route 66 for travelers looking for shorter trips along the route, which spans 2,448 miles and crosses eight states.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Working as a security guard in downtown Cairo, his path crosses that of young Muslim woman.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encircles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircles. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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