1
as in stadium
a large usually roofless building for sporting events with tiers of seats for spectators the Roman circus is believed to have held 50,000 spectators in ancient times

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
3
as in pageant
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the media circus that took place outside the courthouse every day of the murder trial

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples 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 circus Challenges range from circus makeup to runway looks, and as with Baking Show, the vibe skews more easygoing than cutthroat. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 22 Nov. 2024 Or, looked at another way, the audience was taking in the spectacle of a monster (HYDE) in a circus ring. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 22 Nov. 2024 The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports that some Senate Republicans are privately suggesting that Gaetz should withdraw his nomination to save himself from an ugly confirmation circus. Cate Martel, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024 The film features Anderson as Shelley, a veteran Las Vegas showgirl who loses her job once her revue closes its doors for good, once a new circus comes into town. Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for circus 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
  • On the front of the stadium is a 140-foot inflatable friendship bracelet.
    Bryan West, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Francona was known to ride a scooter from his place in Cleveland to the stadium and has put out feelers to get a new scooter in Cincinnati.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Welcome to the madhouse.
    Vulture, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2022
  • Life around the office, which included a basketball court and beer on tap, was a preview of the headquarters-as-madhouse ethos soon to dominate Silicon Valley.
    Alex Williams, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2022
Noun
  • The former beauty pageant winner confirmed her relationship with Keith in September 2024.
    McKinley Franklin, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
  • As weeks went by without any arrests in the case, a media frenzy began to build, fueled by relentless tabloid images of JonBenet participating in beauty pageants.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Luzon wore a look evocative of the gladiator armor worn in coliseums of Ancient Rome.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 19 Nov. 2024
  • The second stop is Expo Park/USC, that leaves you even closer to the coliseum, about a 4-minute walk. Coliseum officials recommend that riders purchase a $3.50 round-trip fare at the beginning of their trip to avoid ticket lines when the events are over.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • The idea is to bring an irreverent, underground, at times almost Dada-ist sensibility to network television, but that also means surrounding himself with people whose own factory settings are bedlam and cynicism.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
  • One is Mayhem in the Madness, which is all about chaos, bedlam and havoc, while Startled Darkness is perfect for those who claim to not be afraid of the dark.
    Meredith G. White, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • Scavenger-hunt booklet in hand, kids will find clues in a dozen exhibits, such as the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, ultimately leading them to a keepsake hidden in the museum.
    Lauren Matison, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Expect over 190 exhibits, seminars and merchandise for beginners and experienced anglers alike.
    Audrey Kennedy, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The company’s expansion has shifted from urban centers to suburban locations following a deal with local exhibition giant Aeon Entertainment.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Dec. 2024
  • One of the exhibition highlights is a major new de Waal installation through which the artist reflects on Salto’s enduring influence on his own practice.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Advertisement For many Syrians who had endured forced imprisonment, displacement and oppression under the Assads, the photos serve as both a spectacle and a chance to exhale, even laugh.
    Sally Abou Aljoud, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Sudden technical difficulties with Zim’s suit should be spectacle enough, but the arrival of his archnemeses Dib and Dib’s sister Gaz push the increasingly robot-heavy action saga into full-on midnight territory.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near circus

Cite this Entry

“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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