as in swirling
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in surrounding
to form a circle around
everyone circled the lectern and waited their turn to read from the Bible
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in orbiting
to travel completely around
with a look of extreme frustration, the commander circled the new recruit
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Recent Examples of circling
Paul Tenorio, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
The circling speculation on the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is that the Jets will release him or that Rodgers could even retire from the NFL.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Several companies ousted their CEO while an activist was circling, and not represented on the board.
—Michael Flaherty, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025
Powell said living so close to Bourbon Street comes with its challenges, from tourists urinating in the nearby alley to the circling traffic on weekends.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
Filmmakers such as Guy Ritchie and Brad Peyton both took stabs, with Dwayne Johnson circling the roll for Peyton’s version.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Dec. 2024
In those first two games in particular, Hall and Bedard were menacingly circling the offensive zone during sustained pressure as Bertuzzi staked out his usual spot down low.
—Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
While there has been no follow-up from Beyoncé or her team, fans are already circling the date on their calendars in anticipation.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024
In October, Deadline reported that Holland was circling the lead role in Nolan’s new event film, which has also since cast Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and Matt Damon.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
Robinson’s effectiveness for Fulham, detailed here by The Athletic, has created plenty of speculation about whether some of the big clubs might be circling for a January signing.
—Paul Tenorio, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
The circling speculation on the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is that the Jets will release him or that Rodgers could even retire from the NFL.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
Several companies ousted their CEO while an activist was circling, and not represented on the board.
—Michael Flaherty, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025
Powell said living so close to Bourbon Street comes with its challenges, from tourists urinating in the nearby alley to the circling traffic on weekends.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
Filmmakers such as Guy Ritchie and Brad Peyton both took stabs, with Dwayne Johnson circling the roll for Peyton’s version.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Dec. 2024
In those first two games in particular, Hall and Bedard were menacingly circling the offensive zone during sustained pressure as Bertuzzi staked out his usual spot down low.
—Mark Lazerus, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
While there has been no follow-up from Beyoncé or her team, fans are already circling the date on their calendars in anticipation.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 26 Dec. 2024
In October, Deadline reported that Holland was circling the lead role in Nolan’s new event film, which has also since cast Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and Matt Damon.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circling
Verb
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Today 30 species fly freely throughout Pelican Island and the surrounding archipelagos off the coast of Vero Beach.—
Kara Franker,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2025
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In another court challenge, the drama surrounding beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting significantly ramped up this week.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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My 9/11 diary entry is written in a spiral notebook with a cartoon cat on the front and the next page says 'ugh Megan is mad at me.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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The rocket was in the upper atmosphere and spinning at the time — possibly because at least two satellites were being deployed — causing a spiral shape to be seen.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One audience member, a lifelong resident, commented that funnelling fleeing motorists into a single highway encircling the lake would be dangerous.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
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The flower has a row of large outer petals (guard petals) encircling a center of petalodes or small, narrow yellow inner petals.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In a very different way, Newcastle gave it all afternoon, running and challenging and protecting each other, treading a careful line and sometimes crossing it.—
George Caulkin,
The Athletic,
27 Dec. 2024
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If Samuelson struggled to the line, or worse yet dropped to the ground after crossing it, that would validate those views and set back for years the fight for gender equality in the Olympics.—
Austin Knoblauch,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Circling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circling. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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