as in balls
a more or less round body or mass
out of the countless celestial orbs twirling in space, the planet Earth remains the only one we can call home, so perhaps we should take care of it
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Recent Examples of orbs
Even the baby's bedroom got a birthday makeover; a final slide included in a roundup of party photos shows silver balloons spelling out her name and more pink, orange and white orbs floating up to the ceiling.
—
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Instead of stacks of money or safety deposit boxes, there are cameras, lights and screens fastened together to create two giant orbs.
—ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
These states’ extensive coastlines may explain part of the clustering, but the types of objects described—ranging from glowing orbs to submerged shapes that move at high speed—suggest something far more unusual.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Sometimes performers and crew on tours will capture mysterious orbs and abnormalities in pictures.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
Standout elements of her attire included her peekaboo bra layering element and a pair of statement metallic silver drop earrings with pierced orbs.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Areas marked in red will not have orbs hidden, nor will orbs be placed in waterways or mowed areas, according to the release.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Wenyu turned and handed Lian Doraemon, his eyes two perfect black-and-white orbs peering out at her.
—Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Lewis abandoned the idea to put clear orbs in the sockets early on, but debate about the eyes continued after Lithgow complained that the doll’s line of sight didn’t have a focus.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
Instead of stacks of money or safety deposit boxes, there are cameras, lights and screens fastened together to create two giant orbs.
—ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025
These states’ extensive coastlines may explain part of the clustering, but the types of objects described—ranging from glowing orbs to submerged shapes that move at high speed—suggest something far more unusual.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Sometimes performers and crew on tours will capture mysterious orbs and abnormalities in pictures.
—Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Oct. 2025
Standout elements of her attire included her peekaboo bra layering element and a pair of statement metallic silver drop earrings with pierced orbs.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Areas marked in red will not have orbs hidden, nor will orbs be placed in waterways or mowed areas, according to the release.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Wenyu turned and handed Lian Doraemon, his eyes two perfect black-and-white orbs peering out at her.
—Literary Hub, 1 July 2025
Lewis abandoned the idea to put clear orbs in the sockets early on, but debate about the eyes continued after Lithgow complained that the doll’s line of sight didn’t have a focus.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbs
Noun
-
The music of the first three seasons — including covers of Miley Cyrus and Rihanna songs — helped set the backdrop of pivotal scenes, and of course, many, many balls.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement that officers arrested two people and used pepper balls after protesters did not heed orders to disperse, adding that demonstrators also breached a protest area and spit on officers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Best Actress and Best Actor in a Drama winners Michelle Pfeiffer and Tom Cruise hung out with their globes in the press room in 1990.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
At the center, students can explore maps and globes, including modern ones and some that date back hundreds of years, sourced from around the world.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Available in eight shades, the lip liners are formulated with hyaluronic filling spheres for a tug-free glide, coconut and jojoba oil blend for lightweight nourishment, and carnauba and candelilla wax blend to help create precise, seamless lines.—
Kathryn Hopkins,
Footwear News,
23 Jan. 2026
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From square pillows to round designs, textural spheres, down pillows, and even classic square or rectangle silhouettes (that are anything but square, design-wise), the world is your oyster.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbs. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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