Definition of encirclenext
1
as in to circle
to travel completely around communication satellites encircling the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to surround
to form a circle around immediately after announcing their engagement, the couple was encircled by their applauding friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 encircle Monumental-scale projections examining profound questions of bodies, landscape, and existence encircle a centerpiece of sculptural Jeju volcanic rocks. — Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 With that official, the Astros encircled Espada in the visitors’ batting cage at Sutter Health Park. — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 27 Sep. 2026 The shoe is a high-heeled sandal made of nuanced lines and subtle curves, appearing to wrap the foot in ribbon-like bands that encircle the ankle and fasten with a gold buckle. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026 Ironically, the city’s position in a beautiful valley—encircled by the ridges of the Cumberland Plateau, at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains—also led to some persistent environmental issues. — Daliah Singer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for encircle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircle
Verb
  • Over the past 100,000 years, Halley's Comet has probably circled the sun well over a thousand times, leaving a fresh trail of debris on every visit.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats have circled Alaska, a typically reliable Republican state, as a winnable seat in their bid to flip the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An unopened box may look exciting when it is surrounded by balloons, friends and the smell of cake.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Visceral fat — which lies deep within the abdomen and surrounds internal organs — has also been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, Cleveland Clinic states.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • According to Clarksons, 36 percent of container capacity routed via the canal or the Cape of Good Hope traversed the Suez in early October, up from 8 percent between 2024 and mid-2026.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The program takes advantage of showcasing its expansive bounty, with inventive displays of all the ways in which these artifacts traverse borders of time and space.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In reality, both objects orbit the star in the same direction, just at different, changing speeds.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Their Crew Dragon capsule, named Freedom, arrived at the orbiting lab a day later.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Encircle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircle. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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