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
The book’s circuitous path to publication is at least part of the reason for this.
—
Adelle Waldman, New Yorker, 31 May 2025
From ancient remedies to your Amazon cart, mushroom supplements have traveled a circuitous road.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 28 May 2025
The 27-year-old has taken the circuitous route to football’s top table, but has developed into one of Europe’s premier forwards.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Adelle Waldman, New Yorker, 31 May 2025
From ancient remedies to your Amazon cart, mushroom supplements have traveled a circuitous road.
—Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 28 May 2025
The 27-year-old has taken the circuitous route to football’s top table, but has developed into one of Europe’s premier forwards.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 16 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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With Duckworth, in a roundabout way, the original uncertainty probably gives South Carolina more clarity than most heading into December.—
Grace Raynor,
New York Times,
25 July 2025
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Texas is one of the states that sued General Motors last year for seeking driver data in a less roundabout fashion.—
Kevin Purdy,
Ars Technica,
14 Jan. 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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But the indirect benefits seem to reflect a posture against green energy, related to unbelief in climate change, and these lead to support for inefficient energy alternatives like nuclear and geothermal and gas-fired turbines.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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The indirect talks over a U.S. proposal for a 60-day ceasefire are being held in Doha, but optimism that surfaced last week of a looming deal has largely faded, with both sides accusing each other of intransigence.—
Crispian Balmer,
USA Today,
13 July 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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Turning those nutrients into domestic fertilizers not only cuts cost and waste but also reinforces a circular economy that strengthens regional supply chains and reduces reliance on global imports.—
Ryan Begin,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There were 12 to 15 circular nests easily visible within about a 10-by-15-foot area next to the shore, with each one being guarded by a male pumpkinseed swimming in place in the middle of each nest.—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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