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.

There were also delays and conflicting messages, he added, saying it felt like he was "going around in circles like a hamster on a wheel".

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

Typically, symptoms of bird flu in cats include a loss of appetite, lethargy and fever, along with neurologic signs, such as repetitively moving around in circles or “circling,” tremors, seizures or blindness.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2025

In 1999, I really liked watching subway doors open and close, spinning around in circles, and playing the same Freddy Fish game over and over again.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 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

I would hold it, and squirt out a thin stream of water which I kept just in front of him as he ran around in circles.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

around in circles

Example Sentences

Related Words