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
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
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The June Bootids occur when Earth passes through debris left behind by comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, which orbits the sun approximately every six years.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
19 June 2026
As the planet orbits the sun, that tilt continues to point in the same direction.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
17 June 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,
17 June 2026
Starlink is a constellation of satellites that orbits Earth at around 340 miles, which is much closer than other geostationary satellites, according to the company’s website.
—
Dj Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
The loss of communication triggered contingency plans for engineers to try to restore a link with MAVEN, which orbits Mars more than 200 million miles from Earth.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 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
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
As Earth orbits the sun, the Northern Hemisphere is currently tilted most directly toward the sun.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
The June Bootids occur when Earth passes through debris left behind by comet 7P/Pons-Winnecke, which orbits the sun approximately every six years.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
19 June 2026
As the planet orbits the sun, that tilt continues to point in the same direction.
—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
17 June 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,
17 June 2026
Starlink is a constellation of satellites that orbits Earth at around 340 miles, which is much closer than other geostationary satellites, according to the company’s website.
—
Dj Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
The loss of communication triggered contingency plans for engineers to try to restore a link with MAVEN, which orbits Mars more than 200 million miles from Earth.
—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
4 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbits
Noun
-
Future updates tested the ability to upload videos or photos to inspire songs, in addition to using partial compositions, a cappella vocals, loops, and other audio uploads to create songs.
-
Chains dangled from belt loops and wrists.
Verb
-
The book circles political concerns that remain relevant today, including empire, caste prejudice, and the dangers of despotism and corruption.
-
One of Geneva Lake's main attractions is the public walking path, which circles the entire lake for over 20 miles.
Noun
-
If either of those circuits sides with the Tax Court’s functional test, a formal circuit split will emerge, creating the classic recipe for Supreme Court review.
-
Then, looking at the amp rating of your circuits (most laundry appliances require a 15–30 amp circuit).
Verb
-
His voyage is detailed by Homer in the Odyssey, a chronicle of the maritime obstacle course that Odysseus traverses in order to get home to Ithaca.
-
Here, the Road Runner Express coaster traverses 679 feet of track through desert trails.
Noun
-
But some of the thousands of spectators roaming through sandy paths and knee-high grass were less bullish on AI’s role at the tournament and in golf in general.
-
For the fifth annual Forbidden Door, AEW will join forces with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, CMLL and Stardom for a one-night showcase of the four promotions crossing paths at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, on Sunday, June 28.
Verb
-
The thunderous cry rings out over a crowd gathered in front of a television propped up on plastic tables and past a maze of vendors lining a bustling working-class neighborhood in downtown Mexico City.
-
The sentiment rings especially true for Northern Irish Christian Benjamin Dilworth, who embarked upon the Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail in May 2023 after being diagnosed with a rare chronic liver disease earlier that year.
Noun
-
These missiles are capable of flying low-altitude terrain-following flight trajectories, and are designed for stand-off precision strike against hardened and high-value military targets.
-
The largest open effort to pool this kind of data, Open X-Embodiment, includes more than a million real robot trajectories across 22 robot embodiments and 527 skills.
Noun
-
Responsibilities evolve, skill requirements shift, productivity expectations increase, and career pathways develop in new directions.
-
Meander through a lush, fairy-worthy tapestry of ivy and narrow pathways forged throughout the B&B's history.
Cite this Entry
“Orbits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbits. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
