circle 1 of 2

Definition of circlenext
1
as in ring
something with a perfectly round circumference a circle of columns surrounds the memorial to the fallen heroes

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2
as in loop
a circular strip a decorative circle of silver on the rim of the commemorative plate for their 25th wedding anniversary

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3
4
as in wheel
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

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5

circle

2 of 2

verb

1
2
as in to orbit
to travel completely around with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit

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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 circle
Noun
Friends, networks and social circles can bring exciting connections now. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026 For as much as her life has changed in the past year, her inner-circle has remained the same, for the most part. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
And Just Like That… Maybe the depiction of an industry circling the drain is simply too grim to bear. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026 But just like clockwork, fashion always has a way of circling back. Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circle
Noun
  • And, for the sake of the Dolphins, hopefully that statistic rings true.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Anyone with information on the gambling ring can call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Gambling addiction is a serious public health issue that prediction markets intensify by merging the addictive feedback loops of social media with casino-style wagering.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
  • This feedback loop can bear strange fruit.
    Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The robber clique turns out to have its own bosses, too, as well as the most visible fractures in their unit.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, the county paid $8 million to settle a long-pending lawsuit by multiple sheriff’s deputies who alleged they were pressured to quit or leave the East Los Angeles station by an internal deputy clique known as the Banditos.
    Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Heart-stopping video from inside a school bus showed nearly a dozen Mississippi middle school students jumping into action after their bus driver lost consciousness Wednesday behind the wheel.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The new wheel taxes will generate an increase of $344,732 annually, which the town can only use for street paving.
    Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On Saturday, Moscow pummeled the central city of Dnipro and other areas for more than twenty hours with barrages of missiles and drones, killing at least seven people.
    Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
  • High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County coverage areas.
    Josh Krockey, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Roads in the surrounding area were temporarily closed as crews worked to douse the flames.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The new proposal would require them only if there were a request for one from the surrounding neighbors.
    Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In the infrared, this could do everything from revealing the large-scale structure of the early Universe to cataloging far more of the asteroids orbiting in Earth’s vicinity.
    JOHN TIMMER, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Traditional geostationary satellites orbit 20,000 miles up.
    Ben Tarnoff, Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The Spurs announced about an hour before tipoff Sunday that Wembanyama could play in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers after clearing the league’s concussion protocol.
    Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The biggest difference was the Montreal Canadiens entered Game 4 in the first round of the playoffs leading their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 as opposed to being down 2-1 to the Washington Capitals almost exactly a year earlier.
    Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Circle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circle. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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