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Glite Dictionary
encircling

encircling

4.0
Surrounding something on all sides like a ring
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈsɜrklɪŋ/
translation icon : circundante
  • The trees formed an encircling canopy, shading the entire picnic area.

Examples

  • The dancers created an encircling formation, moving gracefully in time with the music.

  • The encircling walls of the fortress provided protection from attackers.

  • My words stopped his encircling snarl, curled his lip inward, pressing a moment of rage.

Synonyms

wraparound
vsencircling
3 4.8

Going all the way around something to cover every side

highlights a neat circular outline rather than merely full coverage
circumferential
vsencircling
1 9.3

Around the outer edge of something, like a road around a city

refers to a full circular boundary rather than only the edge area
circumambient
vsencircling
9.9

Surrounding a place or object on all sides

forms a circular boundary specifically rather than any full surrounding
enveloping
vsencircling
4.3

Surrounding something on all sides and covering it completely

creates a circular outline rather than just tight enclosure
encompassing
vsencircling
4.7

Surrounding something on all sides

focuses on a circular shape of that boundary rather than general surround
circumferent
vsencircling
9.9

Surrounding something on all sides, like walls around a town

emphasizes a circular form of the boundary rather than only an edge
circumfluent
vsencircling
9.9

Moving around something on all sides, like water, mist, or people

describes a static circular boundary rather than surrounding movement
surrounding
vsencircling
2.8

Something that is on all sides of a place or person

specifies a true circular enclosure rather than general nearby presence

How Enclosed

enclosed
1 3.5
encircling
4.0
to edge
3 3.2
adjacent
100 3.8

Surface Forms

encircling positive

Morphology

encircling = encircle (transparent) = en + circle + ing

The verb 'encircle' (en- + circle) clearly means 'surround', and adding '-ing' forms the participle/adjective 'encircling' with the literal meaning 'surrounding'.

Etymology

Encircling comes from the parts en- meaning 'in' or 'around' and circle meaning 'ring' or 'round shape'. A helpful image is someone’s arms making a ring around a child — so encircling means surrounding or forming a circle around something.