as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in booklet
a short printed publication with no cover or with a paper cover
promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
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 circular
Brian Yang, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Dampen a cloth with warm rubbing alcohol, and gently scrub in a circular motion.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 4 Jan. 2026
Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
Though Gaudí’s fund-raising circular had specified the cross’s appearance, and the model in the warehouse had survived, how to actually build it and which materials to use had been up to Faulí and his team.
—D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Adjective
Among other things, his incubator recently helped a Chinese biotech company advance the first circular RNA therapeutic to human testing in the United States — a first-in-class milestone for the technology.
—Noun
The circular included a QR code to scan for those interested in joining.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
Adjective
-
Wide-open windows Space loitering, kidney bean paths, gravity assists, hyperbolic orbits and wide-open windows — enter the world of Jeffrey Parker, Chief Technology Officer at Advanced Space in Westminster, Colorado, the chief architect behind the ESCAPADE mission's roundabout road trip to Mars.—
-
Now, the family is calling on the village to install traffic-calming measures such as speed bumps or a roundabout.—
Noun
-
Nama provides a recipe booklet with creative options like Chai Coconut Milk, Chocolate Oat Creamer, and Brown Rice Horchata.—
-
Keep in mind these prices are only valid through January 19 and while supplies last, per Costco's Member-Only Savings booklet.—
Adjective
-
From his own zone, Zadorov made a terrific indirect pass off the end boards behind the Seattle net that Pastrnak collected deep on the right wing.—
-
Aim to provide your hoya with at least six hours of indirect sunlight daily to ensure healthy growth and development.—
Noun
-
This guide explores the critical factors defining top-tier clinics in Mexico, moving beyond marketing brochures to examine the medical realities of modern hair transplantation.—
-
The Fetch name has been largely scrubbed from Zebra’s branding of the AMR division in the years since the deal, and was not included in the company’s AMR portfolio brochure released earlier this year.—
Noun
-
The group’s task force has been in the community this month, distributing leaflets and engaging in conversations to raise awareness about the issues and the supportive services available to victims.—
-
Each leaf is made up of five leaflets, representing the five elements of balance.—
Noun
-
John keeps her essays in a folder.—
-
Books and photos should be kept in a cool, dry environment and away from acidic cardboard, folders, and envelopes.—
Noun
-
From a portable power bank to keep your phone charged to noise-canceling headphones that will drown out stressful sounds, these travel accessories will help nervous fliers and frequent travelers alike have easier journeys.—
-
Quickly, her owner Sergio Torres, who's the father of six children, searched for her, distributing flyers across the city and knocking door to door, according to CBS News.—
Noun
-
Previous editions of the dietary guidelines have grown over the years, from a 19-page pamphlet in 1980 to the 164-page document issued in 2020, which included a four-page executive summary.—
-
The TriFold has a 10-inch screen that folds in two places like a pamphlet, compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 8-inch screen that folds in half.—
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share