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 polar jet stream is a ribbon of air that encircles the Northern Hemisphere at high altitudes and determines atmospheric pressure patterns.
—
Evan Bush, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
Instead, a bright ring of sunlight encircles the moon's silhouette, often called a 'ring of fire'.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Evan Bush, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2026
Instead, a bright ring of sunlight encircles the moon's silhouette, often called a 'ring of fire'.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 20 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircles
Verb
-
The river traverses land where three generations of the Egger family once raised dairy cows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Hale traverses mountain trails, excavates court records, and reflects on his family’s roots in the region to examine the unexpected connections between the two events.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The vinyl rarities sold exclusively during the annual Record Store Day in April run from Taylor Swift to the Grateful Dead and local indie acts, but much of the appeal is the joyous atmosphere that surrounds the industry promotion.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
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Fort Worth school district’s Board of Managers are moving forward with plans to sell and develop the land that surrounds Farrington Field, the iconic 18,000-seat sports stadium used by a number of high schools in the district.—
Samuel O’Neal
April 14,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the vehicle circles the far side of the moon, communication back to Earth is expected to be blocked for about 40 minutes.—
Brendan Byrne,
NPR,
6 Apr. 2026
-
On Deck 10, furniture upholstered in La Rumba circles the main pool and an outdoor bar.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The book orbits around an art scandal that pulls in collectors, curators, philosophers and hangers-on.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The question was about coaching in general, but certainly rings true in the Heat’s case.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Norah feels celebrated and strengthened by its community, an ethos that rings true when Claire speaks about those around her.—
Julie Lin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Before colonial borders were instituted, Wichí territory spanned the Gran Chaco—a region that crosses through Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil.—
María Carri,
Artforum,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t forget to take a photo on the famous Queen Emma Bridge, a long pontoon bridge that crosses the natural harbor, between bites of sweets made by native Curaçaoans.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encircles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircles. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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