1
as in to circle
to travel completely around
communication satellites encircling the earth
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of encircle
No other spacecraft has probed beneath the clouds encircling Jupiter the way that Juno has, or has imaged our Solar System’s largest planet so comprehensively and over such extended periods of time.
—
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
The move would allow Israel to encircle Palestinian population centers, further undermining the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
The top three seal options feature a right whale, a chickadee encircled by turkey feathers, and a star with other elements like water and hills.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
The raid, part of ongoing Israeli operations in the West Bank, adds to the tension in Qalqilya, a city encircled by the Israeli separation barrier and frequently targeted in military incursions.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encircle
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
The move would allow Israel to encircle Palestinian population centers, further undermining the viability of a contiguous Palestinian state.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025
The top three seal options feature a right whale, a chickadee encircled by turkey feathers, and a star with other elements like water and hills.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
The raid, part of ongoing Israeli operations in the West Bank, adds to the tension in Qalqilya, a city encircled by the Israeli separation barrier and frequently targeted in military incursions.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for encircle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircle
Verb
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Less than 12 seconds later, the vehicle was off the runway, but the plane had already started circling the airport.—
Aaron Cooper,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Mesa smacked his first career MLB home run — a three-run blast 394 feet to right field — to provide the highlight of the night for the Marlins, who watched the Nationals circle the bases for most of the game.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Jets also failed twice to convert on two-point conversions, once in the first half (Braelon Allen was stuffed) and again in the fourth quarter — after needlessly burning a timeout, Fields forced a throw to Wilson, surrounded by three defensive backs, in the back right corner of the end zone.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fire containment Understanding what 14% containment means Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The project also calls for several banquet rooms, as well as a 6-foot-wide waterfront walkway, open to the public during business hours, that traverses the perimeter of the property.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
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In two seasons, released in 2022 and 2025, the show traverses the Star Wars galaxy to show what means people employ to consolidate power and what risks others take to stop empire.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Satellites orbiting our planet would block out light for less than a second.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Mini-moons are captured objects that orbit for just a few weeks while quasi-moons like 2025 PN7 can remain in orbit for decades.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Encircle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircle. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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