CIRCUSES Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

circuses

noun

plural of circus

as in stadiums

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in madhouses

a place of uproar or confusion with seven kids in the house, it's a circus most of the time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pageants

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

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 circuses The best World Cup base camps have tended to be quiet ones, with squads that hole up in small towns and bond away from the spotlight routinely outlasting teams stationed amid bigger circuses. — Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Indeed, some of our oligarchs actually own the circuses. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 Exotic animals were not typically a feature of carnivals; circuses, yes, but not carnivals. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 In terms of performances and safety, the Triton Troupers Circus is like other circuses. — Myrna Petlicki, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026 Signs discussing the use of Blackface and Minstrel music in traveling circuses were submitted. — Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 11 Mar. 2026 The stark reality Stark toured with circuses until the late 1940s, when she was hired by Jungleland, a zoo located outside of Los Angeles. — Alessandro Meregaglia, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026 The idea of a 10% rate cap has all the seriousness of bread-and-circuses governance. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026 Coaches don’t like media circuses, but Jones can’t wean himself off the attention. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuses

Noun

Players also found the flight of the ball was vastly different than in regular stadiums, where tall concrete bleachers knock down the wind.

— Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
It was later amended to apply to 3,000 capacity or smaller venues, which exempted larger arenas and stadiums where many fans have felt the weight of rising ticket costs and where much of the secondary reselling market draws activity.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of stadiums

Noun

Beyond her work in pageants, Malcolm was an actress, television presenter, and dance instructor.

— Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026
Her daughters Charli, 6, and Lacie Lou, 4, have been competing in pageants since a very young age, with Charli making her stage debut at just 8 months old.

— Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of pageants

Noun

The exhibitions here dive into Black experience both in Canada and beyond.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Cruz said school community outreach events for Spanish and Arabic speaking students and families are very popular, with food, dancing exhibitions and more.

— Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhibitions

Noun

Over the next 710 days, Earth will experience three total solar eclipses visible from Europe, Africa and Australia, giving travelers an unusually accessible chance to witness one of nature’s rarest spectacles.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of spectacles

Noun

Sure, the city has fantastic architecture, world-class restaurants, Broadway spectaculars, and those oh-so-gorgeous hotels.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026
The patriotic spectaculars are part of the team’s celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

— Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Definition of spectaculars

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circus

circuses

cirque

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Style

“Circuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuses. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of circuses

noun

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