as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in booklet
a short printed publication with no cover or with a paper cover
promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of circular
Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
Poke a pencil, chopstick or wooden skewer vertically into the center of the circular base from below.
—Charlotte Hu, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
Sean Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Aside from the Sussexes, the royal family has yet to comment on what’s happening in Ukraine, but the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 on Wednesday and met with the Defense Secretary yesterday.
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2022
See all Example Sentences for circular 
Adjective
Using a circular motion, rub the conditioner thoroughly into the leather, including all of the seams.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2024
Poke a pencil, chopstick or wooden skewer vertically into the center of the circular base from below.
—Charlotte Hu, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
This circular outlines the requirements for authorizing the public offerings of investment funds with exposure to virtual assets.
—Sean Lee, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2024
Aside from the Sussexes, the royal family has yet to comment on what’s happening in Ukraine, but the court circular showed that Prince William visited MI6 on Wednesday and met with the Defense Secretary yesterday.
—Emily Burack, Town & Country, 25 Feb. 2022
See all Example Sentences for circular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
Adjective
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Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Missouri, who led the legal challenges against SAVE, argue that President Joe Biden is essentially trying to find a roundabout way to forgive student debt after the Supreme Court blocked its sweeping debt cancellation plan in June 2023.Annie Nova, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024
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Given Advance Colorado’s conservative background, Democrats have accused the group of running the ballot measure as a roundabout way of reducing government spending on existing programs.Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024
Noun
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More Than a Meal The digital recipe booklet titled Your Holiday Feast, Perfectly Paired, is more than recipes.Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
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The other side: While no organized opposition campaign exists, written comments against the measure in Denver's ballot booklet say the measure is unnecessary and redundant, arguing all city agencies should address human rights and community concerns.Alayna Alvarez, Axios, 17 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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This growth was driven by an increase in both direct and indirect revenues.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
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The Irish scored on an indirect free kick from inside the penalty area to tie the game with 10 seconds left as Mitch Ferguson’s shot deflected off a Cardinal defender and past goalkeeper Rowan Schnebly, whose time wasting had drawn a yellow card to set up the free kick.Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Such balloons often carry rice, essential medicine and leaflets critical of leader Kim Jong Un's regime.David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2024
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Over the weekend, the Israeli military began dropping leaflets featuring a photo of Sinwar’s lifeless body in Gaza promising free passage to anyone who helped to return the hostages.Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 19 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Mezrich wrote brochures for a nonprofit while doggedly cranking out 40-odd pages a day on the side.Simon van Zuylen-Wood, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
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The extensive Enchant brochure read like a cruise-ship itinerary, with countless fun things to do every hour on the hour, all day long.Debbi Kickham, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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That’s a simple truth, and while anyone who has ever looked in their junk folder will know, there’s no such thing as a perfect spam filter.Davey Winder, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
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There's a folder on his computer just for photos of sad sloths.Sean Evans, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The travel industry entered the loyalty game when United Airlines and American Airlines pioneered frequent flyer programs in the 1970s and 1980s.Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
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Political campaigns are increasingly turning to text messaging for communication, surpassing the more traditional yard signs, phone calls or flyers.Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
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On the contrary, within its pages, Hersey beautifully delineates through the use of vintage hymns, prayer books, and abolitionist pamphlets, that rest is a birthright and a necessity and an anecdote for a tired world.Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Oct. 2024
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Among those who acknowledge Elwood’s existence, some see potential — like Elwood’s teacher, Mr. Hill (Jimmie Fails), who gives the boy a pamphlet for Melvin Griggs College, as well as a record of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches — while others are determined to limit it.Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near circular
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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