CIRCULAR Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

circular 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsər-kyə-lər

Definition of circular

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

circular

2 of 2

noun

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

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 circular

Adjective

Manufactured entirely in Europe, this garment demonstrates the scalability of circular textile manufacturing without compromising on quality. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 There are artworks by South African and international artists, while circular shapes throughout the house nod to Zulu design motifs. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

Canada’s largest lender also plans to increase annual compensation for its board directors by 22% to C$415,000 per year following a review by an external consultant, Royal Bank said in its annual proxy circular, filed Thursday. — Christine Dobby, Bloomberg, 5 Mar. 2026 Look for items on sale via the weekly store circular. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circular

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circular

Adjective

The Route 20 and Reinking Road roundabout is about 80% complete, Pubentz said.

— Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Trump has spent nearly a year touting his plans to build an arch at Memorial Circle, a traffic roundabout.

— Dan Diamond, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of roundabout

Noun

Little ones can color, solve puzzles, read stories, and more in this booklet.

— Anja Webb, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026
Guria remains poor enough that a municipal beauty pageant can offer a food processor — beg pardon, a food processor and its instruction booklet — as its top prize.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of booklet

Adjective

The meeting came as indirect talks between Washington and Tehran have yet to yield meaningful progress.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
The war in Yemen, which began in March 2015, had killed 377,000 people by the end of 2021, including those killed by direct and indirect causes, according to the United Nations.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of indirect

Noun

Read the contract as closely as the brochure, and none of it will surprise you.

— Kevin Henneman, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Flynn had been for a drink with a girl whose job was to place adverts in the various Festival guides and brochures and who spoke mostly in panegyrics.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of brochure

Noun

There, demonstrators can write postcards, distribute leaflets and learn how to phone bank and door knock, according to the No Kings Kansas City Coalition.

— Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
Nussbaum and her colleagues began passing out leaflets at Boston subway and bus stops to women heading to their jobs at downtown office buildings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of leaflet

Noun

The club secretary opened her computer and showed multiple folders that demonstrated just how much evidence a football club attempting to refloat has to provide.

— Andy Mitten, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
This component's other skills include locating large files and folders, locating empty files, irretrievably erasing drives (other than the boot drive), uninstalling apps, and defragmenting disks and the registry.

— Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of folder

Noun

Other airlines, including American’s chief rivals United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, currently allow customers to combine their frequent flyer miles with cash.

— Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Like Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines offers travelers with flights delayed for at least three hours extra compensation in the form of frequent flier points (at least 2,000 Atmos Rewards points) or a voucher toward a future flight of at least $50.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of flyer

Noun

Volunteers hand out cookies and sliced oranges for breakfast, while organizers run a workshop on collective action and others hand out pamphlets.

— Erika Page, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026
Guests will also receive a zine-style pamphlet with the same homespun appeal explaining each of the eight sections in RM’s words alongside a diagram of the room.

— Christine Terrisse, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of pamphlet

Browse Nearby Words

circuity

circular

circularities

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Circular.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circular. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of circular

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes