round·about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness
noun
1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British
: merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4
Examples of roundabout in a Sentence
Adjective
He took a roundabout route to town.
In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
And in some strange, roundabout way, the experience might wind up making USC and its star freshman much better in the long run.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Four roundabouts are planned for the Emerson Avenue overhaul in Beech Grove.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
The answer may come — in a roundabout way — in a story Ser Arlan of Pennytree tells in that flashback, minutes before his death.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
And in some strange, roundabout way, the experience might wind up making USC and its star freshman much better in the long run.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
However, the developers’ long-term vision is to widen Buckeye Road to four lanes, including roundabouts planned for the community’s entrances.
—Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Four roundabouts are planned for the Emerson Avenue overhaul in Beech Grove.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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