1
2
as in loops
a circular strip
a decorative circle of silver on the rim of the commemorative plate for their 25th wedding anniversary
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in networks
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
got together with her social circle once a week
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cycles
a series of events or actions that repeat themselves regularly and in the same order
with the birth of a child coming so soon after the death of a grandparent, we were once again reminded of the circle of life
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in areas
a region of activity, knowledge, or influence
that lies outside the circle of our investigation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in surrounds
to form a circle around
everyone circled the lectern and waited their turn to read from the Bible
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in orbits
to travel completely around
with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circles
Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Layla has long been one of the most familiar faces in SEC circles, known for her presence on the sidelines and devotion to her family.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Outlaw country to the core, the Illinois native espouses an uncompromising independence and social-justice righteousness missing from the Nashville mainstream — and feigned for appearance’s sake in related circles.
—Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
In legal circles, Jim Maxwell was known as a firm founder and president of North Carolina’s state bar.
—Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
Advertisement At the same time, the Maduro episode is likely to resonate deeply within Iran’s own elite circles.
—Sanam Vakil, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Williamson was a prominent figure in New York basketball circles who went on to become a successful college assistant coach, pro scout and NBA front office executive.
—Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Williamson was a prominent figure in New York basketball circles who went on to become a successful college assistant coach, pro scout, and NBA front office executive.
—Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
What's really behind the baby bust The reasons Americans choose not to have children are hotly debated in academic circles, with many attributing America’s baby bust to shifting priorities and societal norms.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
The sprawling west-bank complex, with seating areas tucked around the winding gardens and a slim white cat that circles the breakfast tables with palpable hopefulness, was originally created by the indomitable Zeina Aboukheir, an Italian Lebanese designer.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2025
As part of its proposal, Citadel had promised to contribute $3 million to improvements to the nearby Metromover, the light rail system that circles the downtown area.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 19 Dec. 2025
The polar vortex is a swirling mass of frigid air high in the atmosphere that normally circles the Arctic, according to the National Weather Service.
—Brandi D. Addison, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
In the heartbreaking clip, the canine circles the car and jumps up at the vehicle's closed doors before the car departs, leaving the dog alone.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
The menu at the motel’s restaurant, ISH Kitchen, circles the globe from Mediterranean shawarma to Japanese ramen to a Vietnamese dish of marinated ground beef wrapped in kaffir lime leaves.
—Melanie Haiken, Outside, 24 Oct. 2025
Yet, as Team Ellison circles, the quick-footed WBD CEO supposedly has attracted the interest of Amazon and Netflix as potential buyers – or at least that’s the word on Warner Boulevard.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
In civil-rights circles, that work falls under the broad definition of legal observing.
—Verb
For all the talk that circles the retail industry about AI’s promise, the fact is that Americans still fear job loss and replacement because of AI.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for circles
Noun
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Together with thin shallot rings, the bird fries in a coating of rice flour to achieve an airy crispness and plenty of splintered, shattering bits of batter.—
-
The robot picks unsorted bearing rings and places them onto a buffer table.—
Noun
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The wide-leg silhouette keeps the look current, while belt loops help sell the illusion of real denim.—
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Unlike many royal tiaras which feature sharp geometric spikes of diamonds or uniform loops, the Spencer Tiara has a more natural design known as the garland style.—
Noun
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Large healthcare networks rely on complex systems and third-party vendors, which can slow forensic analysis in the early stages.—
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The bill would require large financial institutions to allow at least two credit card payment processing networks to be used on their card cards—and one of them cannot be Visa or Mastercard.—
Noun
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Donut Lab says the battery can deliver up to 100,000 charge cycles with minimal capacity fade, while retaining more than 99% capacity in temperatures ranging from –30°C (–22°F) to above 100°C (above 212°F), without ignition or performance loss.—
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From trad wives to spin classes to caregiving, Smithuijsen reveals how late stage capitalism strips women of agency and traps them in endless cycles of empty consumption and thankless labor.—
Noun
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Some might have expected Declan Rice alone to win those headers or harass the opposition in that manner, but the partnership between these two is about more than just Zubimendi allowing the England midfielder to burst into goalscoring areas.—
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Motorists should be alert for sudden changes in visibility due to the areas of dense fog.—
Verb
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Yet, their followings are distinct from the quasi-religious fervor thar surrounds Khan.—
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Last year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes cracked open the door to dispel a bit of mystique that surrounds his nominating committee.—
Verb
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That's because of how the moon orbits our planet.—
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Supermoons happen because of how the moon orbits our planet, say experts, which isn't a neat little circle.—
Noun
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The duo played three rounds of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would speak first.—
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From extension removal to a preliminary cut and a few rounds of color, the transformation took a total of four days to complete with the help of celebrity colorist Jacob Schwartz.—
Cite this Entry
“Circles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circles. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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