circus

noun

ˈsər-kəs How to pronounce circus (audio)
Definition of circusnext
1
as in madhouse
a place of uproar or confusion with seven kids in the house, it's a circus most of the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
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

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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 circus So, too, was the arrival of the Terrell Owens circus with the Eagles in 2004. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026 The banks of the pool—at its best a scene of unparalleled American majesty—took on a sort of circus atmosphere as locals and tourists alike stopped by to see the disaster for themselves. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026 In the past, when FIFA’s circus leaves town, most people seem to forget what all the fuss was about; after all, how many people spent this summer discussing migrant worker rights in Qatar (as many had done in 2022)? — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Between absurd resale prices and the logistical circus of match day, plenty of fans will be watching from places beyond the stadium. — Ali Farooqui, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
  1. madhouse
  2. pageant
  3. stadium
  4. bedlam
  5. exhibit
  6. coliseum
  7. exhibition
  8. spectacle
Noun
  • Whereas this evening in the Spanish Gothic madhouse of the United Theater, most every song from Melanie’s Hadean pageant is received with near word-perfect communalism.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026
  • Headphones are often my saving grace in this madhouse.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of madhouse
Noun
  • Then, there’s Miss Israel 2026 Danielle Yablonka, a Miami native who has moved to Israel, according to the pageant’s website.
    — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The Miss American Fork organization put out a statement on its Instagram, remembering the young pageant queen.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
Definition of pageant
Noun
  • Bookstores needed a similar rehaul and every bit of Nike branding – on office, arena and stadium walls and hallways – had to be swapped in a no-swoosh left behind conversion to three stripes.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Under the current lease, the Travelers are responsible for capital improvements at the stadium.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of stadium
Noun
  • Against this bedlam, Rhaenyra tries to fashion herself a real queen.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • The scene around me was one of utter bedlam, with stadium officials even joining in the celebrations.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
Definition of bedlam
Noun
  • Related Stories After his death, his wife Vicki and son Isidore organize an exhibit of his artworks, complete with explorable digestive tracts, fantastical appendages, and detachable eyeballs.
    — Ed Meza, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Highlights are a bake and craft sale, farm exhibits, kids’ activities and contests.
    — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhibit
Noun
  • Four years earlier, a leaner and healthier Elvis played a much better concert at this same coliseum.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The move to North Main Street brought more Stockyards visitors and cowboys headed to Billy Bob’s Texas or the coliseum rodeos.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
Definition of coliseum
Noun
  • This week, Cuba commemorated Castro with events including the International Book Fair, art exhibitions, concerts and gatherings of delegates from leftist organizations across the continent.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • If approved, the legislation would extend exemptions to class cars built between 1976 and 1985 that are used primarily for exhibition purposes and have limited use on public roadways.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhibition
Noun
  • During totality, the sun itself puts on one of nature's greatest spectacles — and that's where your attention should be.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The spectacle, scale and wonderfully unapologetic excess are precisely why millions keep returning.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of spectacle

Phrases Containing circus

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circumvents
circus
circuses
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Cite this Entry

“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on circus

Nglish: Translation of circus for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about circus

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