as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Lisa Jepsen, Sourcing Journal, 30 Mar. 2026
Supporters of these circular proposals say that the government should be rewarded for funding R&D, just as an initial private-sector investor would.
—Tomas J. Philipson, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Simon Hill, Wired News, 29 Nov. 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
That’s why the most important circular infrastructure will not depend on future technologies.
—Lisa Jepsen, Sourcing Journal, 30 Mar. 2026
Supporters of these circular proposals say that the government should be rewarded for funding R&D, just as an initial private-sector investor would.
—Tomas J. Philipson, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
Shoppers would camp outside of stores, paper circulars in hand, eagerly awaiting the chance to bust down some doors and save a ton of cash.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 29 Nov. 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
-
An economic opening would be a roundabout way of getting to the end goal, one close Rubio friend told USA TODAY.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The government arrived at that figure in a roundabout manner.—
Avi Asher-Schapiro,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The booklet was designed by a USPS art director, Ethel Kessler, and will be officially issued during the World Stamp Show’s opening ceremony on May 23, marking one of the earliest major USPS contributions to the semi-quincentennial commemorations.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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There are also deleted scenes and a trailer, and an accompanying booklet is stuffed with informative essays and interviews (including an analysis by the always astute film noir expert Travis Woods).—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Essentially, if a natural gas pipeline is being approved, the process doesn’t need to consider the indirect effects of burning the gas at a power plant.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Indonesian foreign ministry said today that the peacekeeper who was killed was an Indonesian national and that three others were injured by indirect artillery fire, Reuters reported.—
Charlene Gubash,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Residents also have exclusive access to the Lakeside Lounge, which sits near Lake LBJ, according to a brochure of the property.—
Neal Franklin,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
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My mom’s team had at least given me a heftier brochure featuring tasteful photographs of lilacs; this one was literally stapled together, with cartoonish drawings like the ones on airplane safety cards that show your aircraft making a pleasant water landing.—
Amanda Peet,
New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The research, the facts that go out in the leaflet were important in winning the support of the Latin colony and its allies.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Israeli military did not immediately confirm responsibility for the leaflets.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The folder was part of a stash that Dexter tucked into a duffel bag, not as mementos but as leads.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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The undertaking was announced in a new project called Maison Margiela/folders, which makes all the imagery and research typically accessible only by press and employees, available to all.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Multiple airports have advised flyers to arrive only a few hours before their flights to allow ample time to get through TSA lines.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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The No Data Center group has continued to protest at the beginning of Hobart City Council meetings, pass out fliers and get their message across to fellow Hobart residents about their opposition.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Your doctor may have listed off a ton of confusing medical terms, offered you a pamphlet and prescription, and encouraged you to reach out with questions (possibly via an online portal—another thing to figure out).—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
31 Mar. 2026
-
At the dawn of the 20th century, The Protocols of the Elders of Zion took hold of the Western imagination, codifying generations of stereotypes and canards about Jews controlling global events and packaging them in easy-to-read pamphlets.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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