compass

compass

noun

Definition of COMPASS

1

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 cynosure, direction, focus, lodestar (also loadstar), polestar

Related Words benchmark, criterion, grade, mark, measure, par, standard, touchstone, yardstick; aim, ambition, aspiration, dream, goal, intention, object, objective, purpose, target

2

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends <within the compass of my voice>

Synonyms ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confines, dimension(s), extent, reach, realm, scope, sweep, width

Related Words gamut, spectrum, spread; bailiwick, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, province, region, specialty, sphere, terrain; frontier; horizon, panorama

3

the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something <within the compass of the city walls>

Synonyms borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, hem, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge

Related Words ambit; brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip; ceiling, maximum; demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination; borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage; lap; shore

Near Antonyms center, core, heart; inner, inside, interior, middle, within