1
as in direction
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
within the compass of my voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
within the compass of the city walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to accomplish
to carry through (as a process) to completion
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to circle
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 compass
George Yang, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
The problem is that these estimates gradually accumulate errors over time, causing the navigational equivalent of a slowly drifting compass.
—New Atlas, 8 June 2026
Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for compass
Noun
It's got some incredible features, including mult-band frequency and GNSS network support, as well as a three-axis compass and gyroscope for those who love the outdoors.
—George Yang, PC Magazine, 9 June 2026
The problem is that these estimates gradually accumulate errors over time, causing the navigational equivalent of a slowly drifting compass.
—New Atlas, 8 June 2026
Verb
The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul.
—Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for compass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compass
Noun
-
Brunson’s arrival changed the Knicks’ direction almost immediately.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2026
-
Second, the report grapples seriously with agentic AI — autonomous systems capable of planning, reasoning, and executing multi-step tasks without continuous human direction.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Instead of big incisions, doctors at Einstein are using tiny scopes with tips that freeze.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The Stakes For The Federal Workforce The case will test the scope of presidential authority over the civil service, particularly regarding political considerations in federal employment decisions.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The plane overran the runway, punched through a perimeter fence and came to rest in an airport parking lot, where firefighters extricated the pilot.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
-
Before co-headlining Denmark’s Roskilde Festival with Bruce Springsteen, The Roots were performing in tents beyond the festival's main perimeter.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
This change was partly accomplished by the creation of the Access Artist Advisory Board, which was dedicated to making things more accessible — physically and emotionally, but also financially.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
-
But because removal is so profound, the hurdles to accomplish it are significant.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
That churning mix of confidence and doubt gives Sir Render a full-bodied dynamism that Navy Blue albums can sometimes lack, moving between moods instead of circling around a single frame of mind.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 June 2026
-
Symptoms of prolonged deficiency include ventroflexion of the neck (bending the head toward the floor); mental dullness (confusion, lethargy, non-responsiveness, failing to interact, low energy); vision changes; wobbly walking, circling, or falling; seizures; and weakness and lethargy.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
An engineer plots a well’s falling output, fits a curve, and projects it forward.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Prosecutors accused Yoon of attempting to create a crisis with North Korea while plotting an authoritarian power grab aimed at removing political opponents and consolidating control.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
There is much anticipation surrounding Newcastle’s present under-14s through to under-16s, pointing towards a potentially brighter future.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The agents, in several vehicles, surrounded a home outside Minneapolis — and waited.—
Gabe Gutierrez,
NBC news,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Federal authorities said the unsafe or improper use of drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), can pose risks to aircraft, law enforcement operations and people on the ground.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Consider it a hometown tour led by a queen who’s captivated the world but still knows exactly where to find the best pho, the coolest art, and the perfect perch to watch someone else tear up the dance floor.—
Todd Plummer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
