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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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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Recent Examples of circuitous
Perhaps as a result of his circuitous journey into the profession, Wei is well aware of the obstacles on the road to becoming a CPA—and has devoted himself to helping others find their way to the field.
—
Steel Rose, Cpa, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The circuitous route that the blues took to recognition as an American art form seemed profound to Coogler.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
This time, even though their starting pitcher took a circuitous route to his three outs, the Padres held that lead after the entire inning had been played.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Waldman was hired in 2015 to translate a manuscript that had already taken a circuitous route from Grade’s typewriter to the cluttered rooms of his Bronx apartment to the limbo of probate law.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Steel Rose, Cpa, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
The circuitous route that the blues took to recognition as an American art form seemed profound to Coogler.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
This time, even though their starting pitcher took a circuitous route to his three outs, the Padres held that lead after the entire inning had been played.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Waldman was hired in 2015 to translate a manuscript that had already taken a circuitous route from Grade’s typewriter to the cluttered rooms of his Bronx apartment to the limbo of probate law.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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But maybe ditching emulsifiers could act as some roundabout way of nudging Americans toward eating healthier, if Kennedy is prepared to rob us all of ice cream.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
25 June 2025
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Mello got the role in a roundabout way, after his mom brought him to an open casting call with the intention of having his older brothers audition.—
Virginia Chamlee,
People.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Refine your key points to be clear and concise—no rambling monologues.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In the video, Ina demonstrates that the secret lies in combo cooking; mixing direct and indirect grilling.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 June 2025
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Direct and indirect loans to the general fund budget come from special funds set aside for specific purposes, and after three years of deficit spending the state has accumulated many billions of dollars of internal debt that will have to be repaid sometime.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Words, including those of artists themselves—as prolix in their way as critics, curators, and historians—can serve vision but can also deflect from it.—
Barry Schwabsky,
ARTnews.com,
3 Sep. 2019
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In 1949, a young American artist named Ray Johnson left Black Mountain College near Asheville, N.C., moved to New York City and began to explore his prolix talents, both visual and verbal.—
Roberta Smith,
New York Times,
30 May 2024
Adjective
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Similar to many other automatic litter box models, the circular orb rotates, sifting dirty litter into a waste bag, which on this model is on top of the machine rather than below.—
WIRED,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
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Glass has also become a big part of the circular economy.—
LEW SICHELMAN,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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