1
as in disseminates
to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people
circulate the plans for the new stadium around town to get people's reaction
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whispers
to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy
circulated a rumor that someone was about to be fired
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in spreads
to become known
the prince denies the story about an extramarital affair that's been circulating in the tabloids
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 circulates
Town halls across O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, and Maui shaped the project, as did time spent at Native Books, a space where knowledge circulates through gathering and love.
—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Light circulates inside the loop at extremely high speed.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Apr. 2026
Our research examines how Lyme disease circulates in local environments and how communities interact with tick habitats in their everyday lives.
—Emily Bache, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
But going viral isn’t the same as becoming enduring, and a clip that circulates for one day on TikTok isn’t the same as a moment that lives on in film history for decades.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Unlike traditional belt or chain timing, wet timing circulates oil over the timing belt to significantly lower friction losses, resulting in a timing change interval of 150,000 miles (241,400 km).
—New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
The hyperscale data centers currently proposed in Wisconsin plan to use closed-loop systems, a kind of cooling system where water circulates though the system over and over.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 27 Mar. 2026
That way, even if your data circulates, criminals have a harder time breaking in.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
His hymn to Aten is an exercise in majesty, an ode not just to the sun but to the expanses in which our solar system circulates.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Light circulates inside the loop at extremely high speed.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Apr. 2026
Our research examines how Lyme disease circulates in local environments and how communities interact with tick habitats in their everyday lives.
—Emily Bache, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
But going viral isn’t the same as becoming enduring, and a clip that circulates for one day on TikTok isn’t the same as a moment that lives on in film history for decades.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Unlike traditional belt or chain timing, wet timing circulates oil over the timing belt to significantly lower friction losses, resulting in a timing change interval of 150,000 miles (241,400 km).
—New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
The hyperscale data centers currently proposed in Wisconsin plan to use closed-loop systems, a kind of cooling system where water circulates though the system over and over.
—Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 27 Mar. 2026
That way, even if your data circulates, criminals have a harder time breaking in.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026
His hymn to Aten is an exercise in majesty, an ode not just to the sun but to the expanses in which our solar system circulates.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circulates
Verb
-
The virus disseminates from a person’s vomit and stool, spraying into the air or landing on nearby surfaces.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
15 Dec. 2025
-
The spores can also be present in soil, which, if disturbed, disseminates the spores into the air.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Frenza whispers to herself, gazing at her reflection in the mirror with the bottle in her hand, raising a toast to her own intelligence and ironic wit, which are, in her opinion, her most powerful protections against the world.—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The linear texture and light-catching dimension evoke vintage elegance, resulting in a manicure that whispers old money.—
Annie Blay-Tettey,
Allure,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The group of six certainly has a lot to do, and the new compensation program spreads the accountability around.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Even sparks or embers carried by the wind can ignite nearby leaves or grass, triggering a fire that spreads rapidly.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Gravitational radiation propagates outward away from the source that generates it, and propagates through spacetime.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Separate Offshoots The aloe plant propagates itself by growing offshoots, known as pups.—
Sheryl Geerts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In early 2024, rumors that the series was kaput swirled online, prompting HBO to release a statement that season 3 was still on the way.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But a growing body of evidence reveals that the sports betting boom leads to financial strain for bettors.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
-
But this is only half the story, as opening the caseback reveals the watch’s Supersonnerie soundboard, which is constructed of sapphire crystal to offer a view of the movement.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Much in the popular culture suggests any aliens might be aggressive.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The remains were found partially covered in sediment, and their position on a sediment pile suggests intentional placement, likely as part of a ritual funerary practice.—
Ryan Brennan
April 4,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That implies helium supply won’t be restored anytime soon, pointed out Christopher Ecclestone, principal and mining strategist at Hallgarten & Company.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That implies your doctors and trainers and everyone involved get to take a look at it.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circulates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circulates. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
