as in circles
to travel completely around
the moon orbits the Earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of orbits
Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 June 2026
Canadian and American researchers simulated satellite orbits in low Earth orbit and generated a metric, the CRASH Clock, that measures the number of days before collisions start happening if collision-avoidance maneuvers stop.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2026
The plan represents a departure for Europe’s top satellite makers, which have traditionally focused on large, complex spacecraft in high orbits, but the industry has been disrupted by Starlink’s small, relatively cheap, low-orbit machines.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Because the station orbits Earth once every 90 minutes, the crew on board sees 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 May 2026
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, 1 May 2026
Soaring 20-foot ceilings stretch above a teal velvet sofa custom-made by Rove Concepts that orbits an original Malm copper drum fireplace dating back to the 1970s.
—Sarah Wood González, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
The larger Starlink constellation also orbits at around 500km in altitude, while the US’s GPS system spans 31 operational satellites orbiting at a far more distant 20,000km.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
The book orbits around an art scandal that pulls in collectors, curators, philosophers and hangers-on.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Koch described the phenomenon from her experience aboard the International Space Station, which orbits much closer to home than the moon at just about 200 miles (about 320 kilometers) high.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
The kick stage will be able to take big payloads from LEO to higher-energy orbits — for example, up to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg) to geostationary orbit, a popular hangout for spy, communications and weather satellites that lies 22,236 miles (35,785 kilometers) above Earth.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 June 2026
Canadian and American researchers simulated satellite orbits in low Earth orbit and generated a metric, the CRASH Clock, that measures the number of days before collisions start happening if collision-avoidance maneuvers stop.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2026
The plan represents a departure for Europe’s top satellite makers, which have traditionally focused on large, complex spacecraft in high orbits, but the industry has been disrupted by Starlink’s small, relatively cheap, low-orbit machines.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
In the foreground, the hardware of the space station stands rigid in space, the station's solar panels extended as the outpost orbits hundreds of miles above Earth.
—Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 28 May 2026
Because the station orbits Earth once every 90 minutes, the crew on board sees 16 sunrises and sunsets every day.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 6 May 2026
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, 1 May 2026
Soaring 20-foot ceilings stretch above a teal velvet sofa custom-made by Rove Concepts that orbits an original Malm copper drum fireplace dating back to the 1970s.
—Sarah Wood González, Architectural Digest, 30 Apr. 2026
The larger Starlink constellation also orbits at around 500km in altitude, while the US’s GPS system spans 31 operational satellites orbiting at a far more distant 20,000km.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
The book orbits around an art scandal that pulls in collectors, curators, philosophers and hangers-on.
—CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
Koch described the phenomenon from her experience aboard the International Space Station, which orbits much closer to home than the moon at just about 200 miles (about 320 kilometers) high.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbits
Noun
-
Visitors staying at Cedar Pass Campground (reservations required) or Sage Creek Campground can wake up to panoramic sunrise views and spend their days exploring scenic trails, wildlife loops, and overlooks carved into the park’s rugged terrain.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
-
Robotic units integrated with barcode validation loops now incorporate computer vision models trained to classify pill shape, color, imprint, and packaging configuration.—
Ethan Stone
June 3,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The book circles political concerns that remain relevant today, including empire, caste prejudice, and the dangers of despotism and corruption.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
One of Geneva Lake's main attractions is the public walking path, which circles the entire lake for over 20 miles.—
Katy Spratte Joyce,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Then, looking at the amp rating of your circuits (most laundry appliances require a 15–30 amp circuit).—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Maps show the 900 block is five lanes wide and traverses a heavily commercial strip in north Washington, including multiple motels, stores and restaurants.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
-
The full route connects Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area over a 51-hour journey, but many travelers do a portion that connects Denver with San Francisco on a route that traverses the Rockies.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
These results come as Chinese automakers continue to rapidly advance electric motor technology across multiple design paths.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
-
Bike paths in Moss Park downstream of the gage will be flooded, and the soccer fields at Moss Park will begin to flood.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Tourists can no longer approach the 13-foot fence that rings the compound.—
Matt Viser,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
What was on your mind then post 9/11 with the film and what still rings true today?—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
The missile can employ terrain-masking flight trajectories by flying at altitudes below 164 feet (50 m) to delay radar detection.—
Aditya Jadhav,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Persistent structural labor market problems are working against employees' upward trajectories, Salerno said.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
There are ramps, wide corridors, and pathways to ease mobility.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
From his perspective, the recent guidance should be viewed as an indication that discretionary review may receive greater scrutiny rather than as the elimination of adjustment of status pathways altogether.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orbits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbits. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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