as in surrounding
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1
as in circling
to travel completely around
communication satellites encircling the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in encompassing
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 encircling
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2026
The rehaut features deep-blue Tambour markings and modern numerals on a crisp white background, encircling a 24-hour GMT scale at a lower level.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2026
America’s most powerful military assets have now convened in the Middle East, encircling Iran and preparing to strike it from land, air, and sea.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The original Imperial Hotel, an icon of the encircling Ginza neighborhood, was constructed in 1923 by Frank Lloyd Wright.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
The silhouette also included a slender strap encircling the ankle.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
For two days, Chinese warships and aircraft simulated a blockade of the global chip hub with live-fire exercises encircling the main island, while dozens of rockets struck waters near its northern and eastern ends on Tuesday.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Live-fire activities would take place in five maritime and airspace zones encircling the island on Tuesday, according to information released by the command.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
The silk-crepe and chiffon dress features a gauzy pink, iridescent overlay and fuschia lining with a halterneck style top fastened with candy pink feathers, and more feathers encircling the hips.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Verb
Houseplant roots that are damaged, encircling, or severely overgrown can be pruned back slightly to rejuvenate the plant and free up space in the pot.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2026
The rehaut features deep-blue Tambour markings and modern numerals on a crisp white background, encircling a 24-hour GMT scale at a lower level.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 2 Feb. 2026
America’s most powerful military assets have now convened in the Middle East, encircling Iran and preparing to strike it from land, air, and sea.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
The original Imperial Hotel, an icon of the encircling Ginza neighborhood, was constructed in 1923 by Frank Lloyd Wright.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026
The silhouette also included a slender strap encircling the ankle.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026
For two days, Chinese warships and aircraft simulated a blockade of the global chip hub with live-fire exercises encircling the main island, while dozens of rockets struck waters near its northern and eastern ends on Tuesday.
—Bloomberg, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025
Live-fire activities would take place in five maritime and airspace zones encircling the island on Tuesday, according to information released by the command.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
The silk-crepe and chiffon dress features a gauzy pink, iridescent overlay and fuschia lining with a halterneck style top fastened with candy pink feathers, and more feathers encircling the hips.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircling
Adjective
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Since then, the bustling market serves the surrounding and significant Latino community and others.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Smartphone makers have over the years gradually infused software with more AI tools—like the ability to search for something just by circling it on screen or erasing unwanted objects from photos.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
25 Feb. 2026
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Even while in the hospital, Lamb got in his daily 10,000 steps by circling the halls of the cardiac wing.—
Laura Berrios,
AJC.com,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The saints’ days are celebrated, the great days of history are celebrated, and they’re celebrated with this sort of enormous exuberance and deep investment that is somehow very, very touching, very embracing, and very inclusive.—
Terry Ward,
AFAR Media,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is the first spaceflight for Cardman and Platonov, the fourth trip for Fincke, and the second for Yui, to the orbiting laboratory.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
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The study authors report the discovery of a rocky planet orbiting in the outer reaches of this system, exactly where scientists would expect to find a gas-rich world.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Gateway is modified to first repair the old 1910 tunnel immediately and construct a more economical new tunnel (without expensive and unneeded bench walls and cross-connecting passageways) and link it directly into Penn Station.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2026
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So mature, his conviction, his instincts, his fearlessness, and to give something which is so different yet so connecting.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Blackbird Mountain Guides group had spent three days traversing Castle Peak’s wild terrain and staying in huts near Donner Summit – an area that before 2020 was closed to the public for nearly a century.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Walking between buildings requires walking across sand and uneven surfaces, and traversing various stairs.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Bhusri founded Workday with best friend and mentor Dave Duffield in 2005 before the two joined forces as co-CEOs in 2009.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The spacious joined apartments became the childhood home of Prince William and Prince Harry, whose nursery spanned the top floor.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This home is completed by an attached four-car garage.—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
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And the plan has too high a percentage of apartments and other attached homes, members said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Encircling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircling. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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