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
Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
This is a roundabout way of saying no.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
The cars have been caught driving on the wrong side of the road, getting stuck in roundabouts, blowing through police standoffs, and ignoring stopped school buses.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
Little was responding to a question about using impact fees for the roundabout, district spokesperson Rachel Bjornestad said in an email.
—Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
This is a roundabout way of saying no.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
The roundabout would help slow things down, said Commissioner Patricia Nilsson, whose district includes the area.
—Idaho Statesman, 16 Jan. 2026
The cars have been caught driving on the wrong side of the road, getting stuck in roundabouts, blowing through police standoffs, and ignoring stopped school buses.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 14 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 2026.
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