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
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Recent Examples of circular
Jessica Binns, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Use the Right Wiping Pattern Random circular motions are a recipe for visible streaks.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Dec. 2025
The circular included a QR code to scan for those interested in joining.
—Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Adjective
Full circular passport requirements, encompassing complete lifecycle data, follow on a longer horizon.
—Jessica Binns, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Use the Right Wiping Pattern Random circular motions are a recipe for visible streaks.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
The Tennessean looked at weekly circulars from more than a dozen stores, including Middle Tennessee staples like Aldi, Dollar General, BJ's Wholesale Club.
—Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Dec. 2025
The circular included a QR code to scan for those interested in joining.
—Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
Adjective
-
Starting an expensive professional golf league was a roundabout way to launder the reputation of a violent autocrat.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
-
While looking for the vehicle in the roundabout nearby, the officer noticed the BMW was in a canal on the north side of Loxahatchee Road.—
Ana Maria Soler,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The limited edition package includes a Dolby Vision transfer of the restoration; interviews with Jordan, co-writer David Leland, and producer Stephen Wooley; a vintage commentary track by Hoskins and Jordan; and a collectors’ booklet featuring writing on the film by critic Mike Sutton.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The vests carry necessary equipment like information booklets and Narcan.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Concerns about the independence of the CRTC have also been raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in connection with indirect forms of influence such as perceptions of close ties between those serving on the commission, the industry, and industry law firms.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That indirect pathway is fundamentally constrained by thermodynamic limits, particularly the Carnot efficiency ceiling associated with heat engines, which restricts how much of the fuel’s energy can be converted into usable electricity.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All of the documentation—maps, resort brochures, etc—is in English and Chinese, and while the team might not be fluent in the English language, there’s little a bit of Google Translate can’t fix.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
-
By 1928, the company was producing travel brochures; replicas of the artwork now decorate the walls of American Express Tower offices.—
Nancy Cutler,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were ample complimentary and colorful reusable bags to fill with items such as lip balm, back scratchers, reusable water bottles, informational leaflets and snacks, plus candy and fruit.—
Karie Angell Luc,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Poison sumac is a small shrub or tree with 7-13 dark green leaflets.—
Eva Flowe
April 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The surface is strikingly similar to paper, but there’s no need for actual paper, folder or tags.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Find files without digging through folders One of the most practical uses is asking Claude to locate files on the computer, such as screenshots, PDFs, notes, decks, receipts, spreadsheets, or templates.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In December of 2025, Fowlie shared a missing person flier on Instagram and said in the caption that Downer had been missing and the family was concerned for her safety.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Hug a Therapy Llama Therapy llamas and alpacas are calming fliers' nerves at this US airport.—
Hannah Wallace,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Officers found guns and a pamphlet about crowd control in his carry-on bag — and a plan for a mass casualty event.—
Claudia Lauer,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Fascist propaganda in Italy did the same, with the regime’s ideas spreading through newspapers, pamphlets, and broadcast-ing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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