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
Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 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
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
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
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
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, 12 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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbits
Noun
-
Assistive-listening devices and hearing loops are available for deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors, and closed captioning and on-screen American Sign Language interpretations for digital media exhibits and films are included in the museum's galleries.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Among the thermostat-like stabilizing feedback loops in Earth’s climate, the cycling of CO2 through the solid Earth is a major factor over timescales this long.—
Scott K. Johnson,
ArsTechnica,
15 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
-
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.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
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
-
Here, the Road Runner Express coaster traverses 679 feet of track through desert trails.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
8 June 2026
-
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
Noun
-
People and bears cross paths many thousands of times each summer, and the great majority of meetings end with the bear wandering off.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Sponsored by New England Chevy Dealers Just a short drive from Newport, Rhode Island, the Norman Bird Sanctuary spans 300 acres of fields, forests, and coastal trails with sweeping views and more than six miles of hiking paths.—
Rachel Holt,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
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.—
Mariam Amini,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
Kyle Mulholland, the bartender, rings the bar’s bell, and the lights flicker as everyone cheers again and goes to close out their tabs.—
Jeremy Rellosa,
Curbed,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Examples of different future emissions trajectories.—
Adam Frank,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The many paths of a USMNT player Still, though, there are exceptions and many different trajectories.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
The overall score is based on a nation’s performance across 38 indicators in 12 categories, including tax treatment, rule of law, quality of life, investor and high-net-worth migration pathways, family inclusion, geopolitical stability, and capital mobility.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 June 2026
-
This environment is continuously unlocking new pathways to discovering and solving problems, and the very tools of science itself are transforming in unprecedented ways.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orbits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbits. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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