circle

[sur-kuhl] / ˈsɜr kəl /

NOUN

orb, loop, round figure

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ring sphere

STRONG

amphitheater aureole band belt bowl bracelet circlet circuit circumference circus cirque coil compass cordon corona crown cycle disc disk ecliptic enclosure equator globe halo hoop horizon lap meridian orbit perimeter periphery record revolution ringlet round stadium tire turn wheel wreath zodiac

WEAK

colure full turn parallel of latitude

NOUN

group of close friends, associates

Synonyms

STRONGEST

camp class clique club company crowd fraternity party ring school society

STRONG

Mafia assembly bunch cabal camarilla clan companions comrades coterie crew cronies crush gang insiders intimates lot mob outfit posse set sorority

WEAK

in-group

Antonyms

STRONG

individual

VERB

go around, circumnavigate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

encircle rotate surround whirl

STRONG

belt cincture circuit circulate circumscribe coil compass curve embrace enclose encompass envelop gird girdle gyrate gyre loop pivot revolve ring roll round spiral tour wheel

WEAK

begird circumduct ensphere hem in mill around wind about

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.

Now, seven years later, Owens’ story has come full circle.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

It stalks quietly, tests its prey, strikes, then retreats, only to circle back again.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

"Obviously I've been in this system, in this circle, for a very long time."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Treasury in 2018 as part of a broader effort to target senior officials in Maduro’s inner circle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The hare easily outdistances the dogs and they wheel back up the hill in a single, sweeping circle.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen