encircled

verb

past tense of encircle
1
as in circled
to travel completely around communication satellites encircling the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in surrounded
to form a circle around immediately after announcing their engagement, the couple was encircled by their applauding friends

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 encircled On Sunday, the group effectively encircled the key city of Taiz after cutting the main supply route linking it to the interim government capital of Aden. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 With that official, the Astros encircled Espada in the visitors’ batting cage at Sutter Health Park. — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 27 Sep. 2026 Ironically, the city’s position in a beautiful valley—encircled by the ridges of the Cumberland Plateau, at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains—also led to some persistent environmental issues. — Daliah Singer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026 Camu also notes a tree could become unstable if 1/3 or more of the tree is encircled by mushrooms, but otherwise, there’s no need to panic. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2026 The soccer ball, muddy from outside, is encircled in one arm. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 Instead of gold watches, silver handcuffs encircled their wrists. — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026 The pair left their vehicle to find assistance, traversing salt flats toward Badwater Road, a two-lane highway encircled by mountains. — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2026 In 1951, Western Auto bought the building and invested more $300,000 in renovations and additions, including a new 30-ton, 70-by-73-foot sign displaying its name in massive red letters encircled by an arrow. — Rashad Alexander august 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for encircled
  1. circled
  2. surrounded
  3. traversed
  4. orbited
Verb
  • Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio might have this one circled to get some revenge against the Bears.
    — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, Schwab took a pitch right on the play and pulled up to throw as Drew circled out of the pocket to the left.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of circled
Verb
  • You’re surrounded by some of the city’s most important historical landmarks—but the history tucked away within the hotel is just as fascinating as everything that surrounds it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In a screenshot from the video, Schmidt holds a microphone in one hand with the other arm lifted, surrounded by others making the same gesture.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of surrounded
Verb
  • The Firebrand and the First Lady demonstrates that the early civil rights movement was built on a foundation of deep, complicated, long-term relationships which traversed the boundaries of both race and class.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Some days, fewer than ten ships traversed the strait—far fewer than in peacetime, when between 130 and 150 commercial vessels would make the passage each day.
    — RICHARD HAASS, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of traversed
Verb
  • Some dwarf stars are small, dim stars that can be orbited by other dwarf stars or planets.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Ellison revealed a logo menu that had Skydance front and center and large, orbited by tiny icons for brands like Warners and Paramount (along with CBS, HBO Max, DC, CNN and, perhaps just to balance out the graphic, Nickelodeon).
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of orbited

Browse Nearby Words

encircle
encircled
encirclement
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Cite this Entry

“Encircled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/encircled. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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