arcs 1 of 2

noun

plural of arc
as in curves
something that curves or is curved the stars seemed to align themselves into one vast glittering arc

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

arcs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of arc
as in sweeps
to turn away from a straight line or course the ball arced toward the batter and nearly hit him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 arcs
Noun
But classes, workshops, books and experience have taught me practical approaches to developing outlines, deepening character arcs or revising scenes. — Rajani Larocca, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026 Created by Scott Cawthon, the game’s story arcs typically follow a character attempting to survive attacks from homicidal animatronic characters. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 On clear spring and summer nights the Milky Way arcs overhead, and during periods of high solar activity, the aurora borealis has been known to show up. — John Godfrey Published, Midwest Living, 8 Aug. 2026 From Traitors to Summer House to Love Island USA, the past year in reality TV begat a near-nonstop stream of drama and character arcs to obsess over, analyze and generally opine on. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026 As the powers that be focused more on creating their next show, Voyager, DS9 showrunner Ira Steven Behr was able to get away with creating long story arcs and frequent episode callbacks. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 In 2026, our feline friends exude main character energy, with backstories, personality arcs and devoted fanbases that nine lives can barely handle. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Today, Tskaltubo's grand architecture stands as a testament to its faded glory—the sweeping arcs, decorative motifs, and faded murals all reminiscent of its once poignant beauty. — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026 What makes Seattle’s situation distinct from other regional slowdowns is how tightly these three arcs lock together. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 27 July 2026
Verb
The White House had to make room for the Claw, a four-sided mass that arcs more than 90 feet (27 meters) into the air and features lights, speakers, thick snakes of wiring and four large screens so fans not seated right next to the Octagon can follow the cage fighting below. — Dan Gelston, Fortune, 13 June 2026 Overhead looms The Claw, a four-sided mass that arcs more than 90 feet (27 meters) into the air and features lights, speakers, thick snakes of wiring and four large screens so fans not seated right next to the Octagon can follow the cage fighting below. — ABC News, 11 June 2026 This time, the path of totality begins in Siberia, crosses eastern Greenland and western Iceland, then arcs across northern Spain, before ending in the Mediterranean. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026 Levy arcs his character’s growing exasperation in a way that’s funny, if somewhat limited. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026 In doing so, the memoir arcs outward, moving from a personal reckoning with gender towards an open-ended, existential understanding for readers to grasp on their own. — Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 Salah arcs his run to shut off the pass from centre-back Josko Gvardiol to left-back Nico O’Reilly. — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025 Richard Gabriel Moritz | Unsplash Many readers will know this coastline—which arcs its way from the French border in the west to Tuscany in the east, via the ancient port city of Genoa—for the five absurdly picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre. — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arcs
  1. curves
  2. curvatures
  3. angles
  4. bends
  5. winds
Noun
  • The Bugatti Type 57 epitomizes that aesthetic power, exemplified by a low-slung body defined by voluptuous curves.
    — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026
  • There, sprinklers sprayed water across the track ensuring that our route, a coned course with tight, tricky curves and acceleration alleys, would challenge me at every turn.
    — Scotty Reiss, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of curves
Noun
  • These New Balance sneakers have thick, firm outsoles with upward curvatures.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
  • There are hardly any flat architectural surfaces, and NAUSICAÄ is shaped by curvatures and louvred details.
    — Bill Springer, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Definition of curvatures
Noun
  • If sensors detect potential instability or loss of traction, the system can independently adjust rear-wheel angles, apply individual wheel braking, or modulate motor torque to maintain control.
    — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Octobuddy Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount Phone suctions are great for filming, video chats, and getting the best angles for photos—and Octobuddy comes highly recommended by Greene.
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of angles
Noun
  • To be fair, the larger creative arc of Hollywood bends towards unoriginality — just look no further than the sequel-laden film release calendars.
    — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s signature boho bends were another defining example of Surf Spray’s cool-girl appeal.
    — Lauren Valenti, InStyle, 31 July 2026
Definition of bends
Noun
  • The greatest risk from the storms will be from damaging winds and heavy downpours.
    — Rachael Jay, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the last week, the park has experienced harsh winds and cold temperatures overnight.
    — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of winds

Browse Nearby Words

arc lamps
arcs
arctic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Arcs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arcs. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on arcs

Nglish: Translation of arcs for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All