as in belt
a strip of flexible material (as leather) worn around the waist
drew a handkerchief from the girdle around her waist and offered it to the knight as a token of affection
Synonyms & Similar Words
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1
as in to wrap
to encircle or bind with or as if with a belt
trees girdled the campus, essentially hiding it from view wire girdling the bundle of firewood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to circle
to travel completely around
an asteroid belt that girdles the inner planets of the solar system
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to surround
to form a circle around
the rings that famously girdle the planet Saturn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of girdle
Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
Usually placed on the stone’s girdle (a narrow band at the outer perimeter, dividing upper and lower sections), these have been on offer from grading labs and other providers since the 1980s.
—Tim Barber, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023
Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Trees also can be damaged or girdled by a slack line play set — a set of swings, ladders and other play equipment suspended from a rope that is often tied between two trees.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for girdle 
Noun
Not many days after giving birth, Cardi B went to Paris Fashion Week with an extreme waist, thanks to her dutiful wearing of a magnified faja, or girdle.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024
Usually placed on the stone’s girdle (a narrow band at the outer perimeter, dividing upper and lower sections), these have been on offer from grading labs and other providers since the 1980s.
—Tim Barber, WIRED, 27 Nov. 2023
Verb
In 2021, the base was girdled by thick steel cables and wooden planks (picture oversized dental braces), and the dozens of sensors and other monitoring instruments that now pick up even minute shifts.
—Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Trees also can be damaged or girdled by a slack line play set — a set of swings, ladders and other play equipment suspended from a rope that is often tied between two trees.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2023
See all Example Sentences for girdle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for girdle
Noun
-
Nominated for Best Actress at this year’s BAFTAs, Erivo’s transition from Broadway to film has been the stuff of legends—with three Oscars nominations under her belt, she’s solidified her place among Hollywood’s elite.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2025
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Of course, a belt bag is a must, too, and this one is only $29.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Brad and Kim showed up to help wrap presents and greet parents as the parents shopped.—
The Tennessean,
The Tennessean,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Style it with a slouchy wool coat that wraps around your waist and a pair of chunky loafers for contrast.—
Kerane Marcellus,
Essence,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Fritz circled the airfield, in an attempt to get the birds to fall in behind.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Former players, mostly, circling those old, familiar wagons again.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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For a supernova to leave behind a remnant, the dying star must be surrounded by ionized gases — conditions typically found in dense, star-forming regions, not in the outer reaches of a galaxy.—
Victoria Corless,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Footage from the scene showed a plane on the ground surrounded by multiple ambulances and fire engines. Scottsdale Airport, owned by the city of Scottsdale, is a general aviation airport, primarily serving private and corporate aircraft.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And indeed, in the episode Carrie, who always had a flare for unconventional styling, has tartan flourish attached to a sash at her waist at Charlotte’s wedding.—
John Russell,
People.com,
6 Feb. 2025
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Acne Studios Musubi knotted leather shoulder bag $1,200 NET-A-PORTER Acne’s Musubi bag is inspired by Japanese obi sashes, with its soft textured knot details.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Rocky worlds orbiting these smaller stars could have rich carbon atmospheres, or even hazes, like Saturn's moon Titan.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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Psyche is a nickel-iron core asteroid that orbits the sun beyond Mars anywhere from 235 million to 309 million miles away.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The alarm was at once sounded by ringing the school bell and the fire department responded and had water on in a very short time, but the fire being all through the building inside the walls and partitions, its progress could not be checked.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
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Instead of ringing the bell — which often signals the end of chemotherapy treatment — the boy sounds the boxing ring bell by punching the pull cord.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Winners get a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights, but no cash prize.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
12 Feb. 2025
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To take the purple ribbon home, Monty triumphed over a Best in Show round that featured six other talented canines.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
12 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near girdle
Cite this Entry
“Girdle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/girdle. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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