as in swirling
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circling
Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 May 2026
If creditors are circling and survivor benefits represent a significant portion of your income, knowing your rights and exploring your debt relief options can make a meaningful difference.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
And the bit Chris kept circling.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
The film premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard section last week to rave reviews and buyers quickly started circling.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
To be sure, the current broadcast partners -- ESPN/ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC -- cannot compete financially with the tech companies circling the league.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
For someone who has spent much of the last decade circling the globe for performances, press tours, and personal escapes, Cabello’s most vivid recent travel memories aren’t necessarily tied to buzzy capitals or luxury resorts.
—Jesse Scott, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The others clustered around, circling the stroller and throwing shade.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
So none of the negative press circling around him manifested as a problem in your working relationship?
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Verb
He’s being eyed for the lead after Ryan Gosling, who had been circling the role, exited the project due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 May 2026
If creditors are circling and survivor benefits represent a significant portion of your income, knowing your rights and exploring your debt relief options can make a meaningful difference.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
And the bit Chris kept circling.
—Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 19 May 2026
The film premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard section last week to rave reviews and buyers quickly started circling.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
To be sure, the current broadcast partners -- ESPN/ABC, Fox, CBS and NBC -- cannot compete financially with the tech companies circling the league.
—Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
For someone who has spent much of the last decade circling the globe for performances, press tours, and personal escapes, Cabello’s most vivid recent travel memories aren’t necessarily tied to buzzy capitals or luxury resorts.
—Jesse Scott, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2026
The others clustered around, circling the stroller and throwing shade.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
So none of the negative press circling around him manifested as a problem in your working relationship?
—Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circling
Adjective
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For bigger crews, there’s a three-bedroom Coral Villa and the swirling Perlah Villa complex, which comes with space for up to nine guests and has a pool, dining pavilion, and secluded beachfront lawn for barbecues.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
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The giant, flaky turnovers ooze with a swirling mix of sweet guava paste and cheese.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The San Diego Police Department asked the public to avoid the area surrounding the Islamic Center of San Diego.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
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Although no evidence ever emerged proving Fuhrman planted the evidence, controversy surrounding his testimony devastated the prosecution’s case.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
Verb
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After the probe reaches the asteroid by August 2029, the spacecraft will begin orbiting its namesake while snapping photographs and mapping the surface.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
20 May 2026
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The space station was orbiting 269 miles (433 kilometers) above Earth, specifically above South America's Patagonia region, when this photograph was taken.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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The bay structure may represent overlapping gas flows where the outer edge of the spiral intersects with material stripped from the smaller cluster during the collision, according to the study.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
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Produced by Kunal Kemmu and Chirag Nihalani through their Drongo Films banner, Vibe centers on two inseparable friends whose ordinary, unassuming lives spiral into an unpredictable, high-energy adventure that pushes their survival instincts and friendship to the limit.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Verb
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Bad weather postponed a major construction project on Atlanta's primary highway encircling the city last weekend, but now the traffic chaos is here.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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By using drones to interdict supply lines from a distance, Ukrainian forces can impose the effects of a siege without physically encircling a city, redefining how an opponent can be isolated in modern warfare.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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By traversing sonic ground across its 10 tracks that transports listeners from the open expanses of Montana to the Mississippi Hill Country, Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen effectively weave a tapestry that knits together a throughline between foundational Americana genres.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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The 49ers’ travel miles for the 2026 regular season amount to 38,105 air miles, the most ever according to sports betting analyst Bill Speros, as well as traversing 58 time zones, breaking the previous record of 42.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The basic idea is that when anxiety spikes, pulling out a few sensory-engaging items can stave off panic by interrupting spiraling thoughts.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Still annoyed, weirdly offended, and slightly spiraling.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Drones crossing borders raise tensions In recent months, Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed or come down in NATO territory on numerous occasions.—
Liudas Dapkus,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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After holding the fire back early Tuesday, the blaze picked up again in the afternoon, increasing in size by more than 300 acres and crossing Albertson Fire Road to the south before firefighters got a handle on it again.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circling. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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