as in circling
to travel completely around
the moon orbits the Earth
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Recent Examples of orbiting
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, 29 Apr. 2026
In its time orbiting Earth, Hubble has shaped our understanding of the universe by observing the atmospheric composition of planets around other stars and even discovering dark energy – a mysterious force that causes the universe to expand.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Using orbiting satellites to beam solar energy down to Earth.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
In the infrared, this could do everything from revealing the large-scale structure of the early Universe to cataloging far more of the asteroids orbiting in Earth’s vicinity.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Astronomers have so far cataloged about 6,000 planets orbiting nearby stars, noted Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, at the news event.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
The satellite was supposed to join AST SpaceMobile’s orbiting network of satellites designed to provide direct space-to-smart phone service.
—Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2026
Due to orbital mechanics reasons, the crucial translunar injection burn had to happen about when the crew was a dizzying 115 miles (185 km) above Earth, less than half the altitude of the orbiting ISS.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Most notably, the agency scrapped long-standing plans to build a space station orbiting the moon, called Gateway.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
In its time orbiting Earth, Hubble has shaped our understanding of the universe by observing the atmospheric composition of planets around other stars and even discovering dark energy – a mysterious force that causes the universe to expand.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
Using orbiting satellites to beam solar energy down to Earth.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026
In the infrared, this could do everything from revealing the large-scale structure of the early Universe to cataloging far more of the asteroids orbiting in Earth’s vicinity.
—John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
Astronomers have so far cataloged about 6,000 planets orbiting nearby stars, noted Nicola Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, at the news event.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
The satellite was supposed to join AST SpaceMobile’s orbiting network of satellites designed to provide direct space-to-smart phone service.
—Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2026
Due to orbital mechanics reasons, the crucial translunar injection burn had to happen about when the crew was a dizzying 115 miles (185 km) above Earth, less than half the altitude of the orbiting ISS.
—Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 14 Apr. 2026
Most notably, the agency scrapped long-standing plans to build a space station orbiting the moon, called Gateway.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbiting
Verb
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Helicopters were circling over 30 Rockefeller Plaza, home of NBC News, ahead of Charles' arrival.—
Emma Caughlan,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
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All of it lands at a moment when Quinta do Lago inventory is tight, and buyers are still circling.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Iran war has led to a virtual stoppage in ships traversing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, constraining the flow of global energy supplies.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Soon, Callaghan — alongside Nic Mosher and Evan Gilbert-Katz — was traversing the country in a shabby RV, documenting the surreal, perturbing and often hilarious fringes of American culture.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If your houseplant was severely pot-bound with encircling roots, trim the overgrown roots back by one-third.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
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In recent years, Beijing has stepped up military drills near Taiwan, even encircling the island by land, air and sea last year.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orbiting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbiting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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