as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circular
Michelle Tchea, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
Related Articles Around 11 p.m., Cosmo’s new editor Willa Bennett climbed atop the room’s central circular bar to introduce the evening’s performer, rapper JT, and offered incentive to stick around.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024
And the next day, FIFA (football’s world governing body) sent out one of their circulars.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for circular 
Adjective
Transfer to the fridge and leave it to ferment for 12 hours.
Divide the dough into pieces weighing 50 to 60 grams and, with a circular hand motion, shape into balls.
—Michelle Tchea, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2025
Related Articles Around 11 p.m., Cosmo’s new editor Willa Bennett climbed atop the room’s central circular bar to introduce the evening’s performer, rapper JT, and offered incentive to stick around.
—Kristen Tauer, WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
In total, the court circular recorded 16 days of in-person meetings in October and 15 in November.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024
And the next day, FIFA (football’s world governing body) sent out one of their circulars.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 31 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for circular
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular
Adjective
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All of which brings us, in a painfully roundabout way, to Joao Felix.—
Jack Lang,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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In a roundabout way, Miami’s love of flashy electric cars is paving the way for more affordable EVs to roll out across Florida and around the world.—
Nicolas Rivero,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The collection of 484 pieces includes toy windows, tires, eyes, and more to help bring your creations to life, as well as an ideas booklet to drive inspiration.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
18 Jan. 2025
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Seventy-two pages of ornaments feature in the shop’s annual catalog, a newsprint booklet hotly anticipated by customers each year.—
Carmen Rosy Hall,
Vogue,
10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This only trailed 2023's record-setting number of events by one, and the disasters in 2024 caused at least 568 direct or indirect fatalities, and cost a total of approximately $182.7 billion, per the site.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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And although Trump’s latest duties do not target the EU directly, officials in the bloc are aware of their indirect consequences.—
Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In my experience, this approach can help improve medication adherence, reduce the need for follow-up appointments and address the common issue of patients discarding their paper leaflets shortly after receiving them.—
Greg Samios,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
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The new leaflets, written in Korean and printed with illustrations, are being distributed along the front lines.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Our class offerings are listed in the Hutchinson Park/Recreation/Community Education brochure or online at www.hutchinsonprce.com.—
Contributed Content,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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But, at a time when hundreds of Cubans are in prison for voicing dissent and hundreds more are fleeing the island in record numbers — some dying at sea and during multi-country treks to the U.S.-Mexico border — the glossy American travel brochures peddling travel to Cuba sicken me.—
Fabiola Santiago,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The recordings have no sound, but agents are seen carrying file folders and showing identification cards that bear the Secret Service emblem.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2025
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Digital folders or tax preparation apps are great for this.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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United Airlines has brought back a fan-favorite snack, tempting flyers who have a sweet tooth.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
Fox News,
12 Feb. 2025
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The New York Yankees are taking a flyer on a once-intriguing Boston Red Sox.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Know Your Rights pamphlets — also known as KYRs — are compiled by various organizations and contain helpful and digestible information for people who might have encounters with immigration officers.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2025
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Neighbors for a Better California plans to distribute yard signs and pamphlets to potential donors across the coast.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near circular
Cite this Entry
“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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