1
as in madhouse
a place of uproar or confusion
with seven kids in the house, it's a circus most of the time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event
the media circus that took place outside the courthouse every day of the murder trial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circus
The film follows a woman who spontaneously joins the circus after going through a heartbreak.
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Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
In 2026, San Diegans can celebrate the centennial of a local museum, watch parades, see circus performers, learn local history and much more.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
The circus-train booths are cozy, spacious and truly beautiful — as is the rest of the room.
—Mackensy Lunsford, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Dec. 2025
The manhunt and media circus that followed led to one of the decade’s ugliest public debates.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
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Maresca has the reputation and nous to take on the job and has dealt with the madhouse at Stamford Bridge, so Old Trafford won’t be a culture shock.—
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Instead of the orgiastic madhouse that fans of Monster and American Horror Story have grown accustomed to, Devil in Disguise is a somber affair, as aesthetically chilly as a December in Des Plaines, Illinois.—
Noun
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The island-wide celebration includes concerts, parades, cultural activities, and pageants, while numerous fairs celebrate the best in local art and culture.—
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One of the most beloved holiday specials ever made doesn’t start with costumed pageants, joyful carols or snowmen come to life but with a self-aware declaration of seasonal depression.—
Noun
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are hosting their first playoff game with fans in the stadium since 2018.—
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There was also a punt-blocking Isaiah Simmons, an intercepting Mike Jackson, and a swell of 73,000-plus standing souls, washing the stadium in noise and blue and joy.—
Noun
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Just as much bedlam erupted here at Weird and Wild World HQ.—
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Their journey to the Comiskey concert was typical of the bedlam that accompanied their performances.—
Noun
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Miami’s first Black Art Basel exhibit was held at the Lyric Theater.—
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Variety is encouraged, and the exhibit aims to showcase a range of mediums, from painters to mixed-media artists and photographers.—
Noun
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The coliseum concert marked The Format’s first full-band performance since 2007, although Means and Ruess surprised fans at a 2020 viewing party for a Format concert film in downtown Phoenix with a full unplugged reunion concert.—
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Nevertheless, Russell Crowe showing off his swordsmanship in a coliseum is a little more important than facts.—
Noun
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Look for exhibitions that showcase different representations of beauty.—
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Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, will host a Red, White & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade on July 2, two new galleries at the National Constitution Center, an expansive exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and a World Cup match on Independence Day.—
Noun
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But a few weeks ago, one resident decided to look past the spectacle.—
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The Mather Overlook, situated along the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, is a great place to stop and admire the nighttime spectacle.—
Cite this Entry
“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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