Thesaurus results for ORBIT

Q: How does the noun 'orbit' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of orbit are compass , gamut , range , scope , and sweep . While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation. // within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Q: When might 'compass' be a better fit than 'orbit'?

In some situations, the words compass and orbit are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. // your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Q: Where would 'gamut' be a reasonable alternative to 'orbit'?

The words gamut and orbit can be used in similar contexts, but gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. // a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Q: When can 'range' be used instead of 'orbit'?

The words range and orbit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities. // the entire range of human experience

Q: In what contexts can 'scope' take the place of 'orbit'?

Although the words scope and orbit have much in common, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. // as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

Q: When would 'sweep' be a good substitute for 'orbit'?

The meanings of sweep and orbit largely overlap; however, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. // the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

orbit 1 of 2

noun

Definition of orbit next

as in loop

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

orbit

2 of 2

verb

as in to circle

to travel completely around the moon orbits the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun orbit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of orbit are compass, gamut, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When might compass be a better fit than orbit?

In some situations, the words compass and orbit are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Where would gamut be a reasonable alternative to orbit?

The words gamut and orbit can be used in similar contexts, but gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When can range be used instead of orbit?

The words range and orbit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

In what contexts can scope take the place of orbit?

Although the words scope and orbit have much in common, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When would sweep be a good substitute for orbit?

The meanings of sweep and orbit largely overlap; however, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Examples of orbit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The flight had been scheduled to launch Aug. 26 but was initially delayed by a leak in a launch-pad hose that pumps helium into the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that sent the Crew Dragon into orbit. —

Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024 The capsule reached orbit about nine and a half minutes later, and the crew batted around a small plush astronaut toy dog as free fall – zero gravity – became apparent. —

Joey Roulette and Gerry Doyle, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Sep. 2024

Verb

The four-person crew of people from various backgrounds with no prior spaceflight experience spent three days orbiting Earth together in a 13-foot-wide SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. —

Jackie Wattles, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024 The asteroid, named 2022 BF2, orbits the Earth about every three years, and its next close approach is predicted to happen on Aug. 8, 2153. —

Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for orbit

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orbit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.