around in circles

ADJECTIVE

pointless

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absurd aimless fruitless futile impotent inconsequential ineffective ineffectual insignificant irrelevant meaningless powerless silly stupid trivial unnecessary unproductive useless worthless

WEAK

going nowhere in vicious circle inane needle in haystack nongermane nonsensical not pertinent on treadmill purportless remote unavailing uninteresting unprofitable vague vain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

able consequential effective fruitful important necessary potent productive profitable sensible significant strong useful valuable wise worthwhile

WEAK

beneficial meaningful pointed

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Dug donned a life jacket in the pool and treaded around in the water, chasing a ball as co-owner Jazz Pritchard led him around in circles on a leash.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

Enclosed by tall metal bars, detainees at the Ponte Galeria detention and deportation center near Rome, where Sylla died, walk around in circles and kick balls to pass time.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2024

The inquiry felt like it slightly went around in circles on this point.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2024

Some fresh wisdom and revelation comes from walking around in circles for a while.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2024

Brutus barked and snarled, yelped, retreated, charged forward, and crashed around in circles, going insane.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

around in circles

Example Sentences

Related Words