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
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, 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
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
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
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, 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbits
Noun
-
Steer clear of addictive thought loops as the moon and Pluto unite.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Residents want credible expertise without enduring grueling commutes, inflexible scheduling, or slow referral loops.—
Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone,
Kansas City Star,
10 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
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 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
Noun
-
Now, gravel paths and barefoot-friendly concrete pavers wind through mature oak trees, gently waving grasses, and structured succulents, leading to distinct seating and dining areas.—
Elizabeth Jardina,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Landscape projects such as patios, paths and water gardens need deep excavations to make space for the underlying gravel layers.—
Beth Botts,
Chicago Tribune,
19 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
-
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
Noun
-
Instead, international non-English language fare is out in force buoyed by the success of Oscar-winning 2025 selection Sentimental Value as well as the high-profile trajectories of other films from last year such as The Secret Agent and Sirat.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
-
That young people’s peers affect their life trajectories is well established.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Greater Baltimore, we’re focused on economic growth attracting investment, supporting small businesses and creating pathways to good-paying jobs.—
Brian Walter,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
-
These greens are also rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids—compounds shown to regulate inflammatory pathways.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orbits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbits. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
