1
as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
we took a circuitous route to the airport so as to avoid the massive traffic jam on the highway
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rambling
using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea
a circuitous explanation for what seems like a fairly basic concept
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circuitous
Yoo’s images circle back on themselves in pleasurably circuitous loops.
—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Nathan learned about the fate of a great-aunt, who was confined at Theresienstadt, and her grandson, who by a circuitous, ultimately tragic path is remembered by Catholics as a martyr.
—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Travel through the area can get circuitous for drivers as so many area streets are one-way and the area is heavily used by pedestrians.
—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
Cherry took a circuitous route back to San Diego, moving to Phoenix for high school, then a junior college in New Mexico for two seasons, then UNLV in 2024-25, then Sacramento State last season.
—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Nathan learned about the fate of a great-aunt, who was confined at Theresienstadt, and her grandson, who by a circuitous, ultimately tragic path is remembered by Catholics as a martyr.
—
Jackie Hajdenberg,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
Travel through the area can get circuitous for drivers as so many area streets are one-way and the area is heavily used by pedestrians.
—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
14 Apr. 2026
Cherry took a circuitous route back to San Diego, moving to Phoenix for high school, then a junior college in New Mexico for two seasons, then UNLV in 2024-25, then Sacramento State last season.
—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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His unwillingness to back Hilton drew a roundabout rebuke from California Republican Party Chair Corrin Rankin.
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And that, in a roundabout way, was the point.
Adjective
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Honeysuckle The warm, heady, floral scent of honeysuckle, which is strongest at dusk, is instantly recognizable, and the romantically rambling vines and tubular blooms make the climbing varieties cottage-garden classics.
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Vocals have an offhand nonchalance instead of hogging the spotlight, melodies sneak up on you rather than announce themselves, and the guitars avoid crunchy riffs and overdriven twang in favor of tart rambling and clean supporting chords.
Adjective
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Iran has paused indirect talks over ending the war with the US ahead of the multi-day funeral.
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For charcoal grills, arrange coals to one side for indirect cooking.
Adjective
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Wipe in circular motions with a lint-free microfiber cloth to loosen grime, then finish with long, horizontal swipes.
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The circular logic of it would be darkly comic if tens of thousands of livelihoods weren't caught in the middle.
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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