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 family has also worked with circuses and collected unusual handmade costumes over the years. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026 These feats would later move to circuses but, despite its proud history, strongman only became an official sport in 1977 with the inaugural World’s Strongest Man. — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 By now, not even third-rate circuses would hire me, much less an outfit like Hep Spyder’s, the World’s Famous Bushwick Circus. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuses

Noun

In From Day One As countries build generation-defining infrastructure—road and rail tunnels, smart stadiums and hospital precincts—connectivity is too often bolted on late in construction.

— Stephen Farrugia, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Several franchises, including the Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Stars, Washington Commanders and Philadelphia 76ers, among others, are planning new arenas and stadiums in the next five years.

— Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of stadiums

Noun

Because JonBenét had won several child beauty pageants, images of her in makeup and garish costumes created a spectacle around the case (which is still unsolved), and around the Ramseys.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
Sisic was crowned Miss Austria in 2024, and continued to hold the title as there were no further pageants after that, the outlets reported.

— Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pageants

Noun

One of the world’s most prestigious contemporary art fairs, Art Basel includes exhibitions by 211 international galleries at Paris’ Grand Palais.

— Elitsa Gadeva, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Plans call for a fan-accessible research library and physical archive, a digital preservation hub, galleries devoted to Garcia’s art and instruments and exhibitions exploring the blues, folk, country and jazz traditions that shaped him.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhibitions

Noun

The exhibition celebrates these workers, many of them immigrants, through exhibits like the photographs of Robert Doisneau, who worked for Renault full-time from 1934 to 1939.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Interactive environmental exhibits would reflect Garcia’s advocacy for coral reefs and rainforest preservation, with charitable initiatives supporting ocean conservation, music education and the arts.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhibits

Noun

All kinds of films, from big-budget spectacles to art house dramas, are stretching their runtimes.

— Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Some of these spooky spectacles incorporate lights that dance to music, animatronics that come to life and graveyards full of tombstones.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of spectacles

Noun

Those who visit annually or several times during the year are deeply passionate about the live shows, character meet-and-greets, holiday food specials, seasonal festivals and parades and nighttime spectaculars that these parks provide.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Sure, the city has fantastic architecture, world-class restaurants, Broadway spectaculars, and those oh-so-gorgeous hotels.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of spectaculars

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circus

circuses

cirque

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“Circuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuses. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of circuses

noun

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