as in circles
to travel completely around
the moon orbits the Earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of orbits
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
If a planet orbits close to its star in an elliptical orbit, then its interior will stretch and squeeze as the gravitational strength of the star changes.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 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, 4 Apr. 2026
In fact, in a typical day, the ISS orbits Earth about 16 times, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Earth catches chunks Comet from Thatcher’s debris path every year as our planet orbits the sun.
—Hali Smith
march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Adrian orbits the star Tau Ceti.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
Abigail is the one who clearly thrills to performance; Shaun consistently orbits her sun, giving the impression of the bearded and bespectacled multi-instrumentalist who’d be happy jamming on the sidelines.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2026
About 15% of near-Earth asteroids are estimated to be binary systems, in which a smaller asteroid orbits a larger companion.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
This pattern repeats year after year, as the Earth orbits the Sun.
—Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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
If a planet orbits close to its star in an elliptical orbit, then its interior will stretch and squeeze as the gravitational strength of the star changes.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
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, 4 Apr. 2026
In fact, in a typical day, the ISS orbits Earth about 16 times, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
Earth catches chunks Comet from Thatcher’s debris path every year as our planet orbits the sun.
—Hali Smith
march 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 Mar. 2026
Adrian orbits the star Tau Ceti.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Mar. 2026
Abigail is the one who clearly thrills to performance; Shaun consistently orbits her sun, giving the impression of the bearded and bespectacled multi-instrumentalist who’d be happy jamming on the sidelines.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Mar. 2026
About 15% of near-Earth asteroids are estimated to be binary systems, in which a smaller asteroid orbits a larger companion.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Mar. 2026
This pattern repeats year after year, as the Earth orbits the Sun.
—Vahe Peroomian, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbits
Noun
-
Many songs are now written on computers, using sequencers, patterns, and loops, with notes laid out in perfect synchrony on a rhythmic, 4/4 grid.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
These marvels of engineering elevate riders as high as 210 feet (64 meters), send them through dizzying loops and corkscrews and propel them at speeds as high as 76 mph (122 kilometers per hour).—
John Haddad,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The space station circles our planet at an altitude referred to as low-Earth orbit, which is closer to Earth's atmosphere and allows the outpost to move more quickly around Earth than objects further out in space.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Editing compounds that issue, and not even a familiar and fun soundtrack can distract from a narrative that endlessly circles the same jokes and conflicts without properly deepening them.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 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
-
The Rock Creek Loop traverses approximately seven miles of ravines, creeks, subtropical forest, and small footbridges.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The june bug traverses the flagstones lit through the glass door.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
So, while the dutiful reader is still turning over basic questions about the nature of witchcraft, the girls are already hurtling up the stairs and out of the basement, and Lucie is crossing paths with Isabelle, a hostile neighbor.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
White had crossed paths with Edelman once before, when the Patriots Hall of Famer addressed the team during a visit to the Celtics’ facility.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
To honor the occasion, David Rockecharlie, Chief Executive Officer, joined by Chris Taylor, NYSE Vice President and Head of Listings and Services, rings The Opening Bell®.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Cala Pregonda, Menorca Just an island over from the tourist-trodden Mallorca, Menorca feels a world away—a sentiment that rings even more true in the north of the island.—
Catherine Tansey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
High or increasing addictive use trajectories were associated with elevated risks of suicidal behaviors or ideation compared with low addictive use, the study found.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
-
History suggests that once faced with a smaller military power showing greater resolve, the larger power has two trajectories.—
Will Walldorf,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The organisation aims to design bespoke digital badge qualifications in conjunction with a range of private companies that will offer the 99 per cent of youngsters released from British academies alternative employment pathways.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Accessibility The large-scale layout includes elevators, ramps, and accessible pathways throughout most areas of the property, and the hotel also offers ADA-compliant rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orbits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbits. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
