1
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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2
3
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

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 This multicultural circus indulges the racial stereotyping that should be Hwang’s subject. Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025 His go-to move was banging pots and pans while walking through the house singing circus music and calling everyone else in the house a meatball. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 20 May 2025 The event features live performances., including traditional folklórico dance, live bands, a water circus and the transformation of a full-sized car into a towering BIG BEE robot. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 11 May 2025 Then Portugal’s staff get angry about people trying to get into the background, summing up what really is a bit of a circus. Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for circus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circus
Noun
  • This is not Eminem's first surprise visit to the stadium.
    Brian McCollum, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Kang said while the club deserves to play in a new stadium, OL Lyonnes will play its full schedule at the 59,000-seat Groupama Stadium (Parc Olympique Lyonnais) starting in the 2025-26 season.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The madhouse of awards season and all its many, many controversies — not to mention an ongoing parade of natural and man-made disasters — has until now perhaps overshadowed some of the year’s lower-stakes joys.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But things move fast in the Goodison madhouse.
    Greg O'Keeffe, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • García represented Nicaragua at the Miss Universe pageant held in Mexico, where she was placed among the Top 30.
    Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 15 May 2025
  • Hudson was named second runner-up, but the two left the pageant hand-in-hand.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • More than 200 Rocky Mountain Prep high school seniors made a grand entrance on the floor of the roaring coliseum, clutching the hands of their escorts who, in many cases, were mom and dad.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 15 May 2025
  • With pressure from the league to get the Cowboys back in a foreign country and the impending renovation of Mexico City’s coliseum, 2026 has a good chance to be the year that Jerry Jones finally gives up a home game to play internationally.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • These ascendants met for back-to-back bedlam in March Madness.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • And the week-long party that had been taking place in Green Bay turned into absolute bedlam.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Interactive sports exhibit The California Science Center next to the Coliseum has opened a free interactive sports exhibit that will stay open through the 2028 Olympic Games.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
  • The mountain’s storied past is detailed via interactive exhibits in the stylish Dr. T.W. Hardison Visitor Center, opened in 2021.
    Jack Schnedler, Arkansas Online, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The museum is now one of the most important contemporary art spaces in the world, with a permanent collection and exhibitions from major international artists including Jean Michael Basquiat, Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The joint practice or practices would be at least two days before the exhibition game.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • The blueprint looks like this: speed + spectacle + story.
    John Cairney, Sportico.com, 24 May 2025
  • The two-hour event, a massive military spectacle and unofficial birthday party, takes place on Constitution Avenue near the National Mall and starts at 6:30 p.m. ET.
    George Petras, USA Today, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Circus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circus. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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