circuitous

adjective

(ˌ)sər-ˈkyü-ə-təs How to pronounce circuitous (audio)
Definition of circuitousnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of circuitous Other refuse made circuitous routes via Pakistan and Dubai, or else the Baltics and Central Asia, eventually landing in Hazara’s new home, Berlin. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Congress is again trying to reauthorize funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, or GLRI, but this year's effort has taken a circuitous route. — Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 9 Sep. 2026 While the likes of Ndiaye and Allan have moved countries or even continents, Azeez has taken a circuitous route around London and several of its surrounding towns before signing for south-coast side Brighton & Hove Albion. — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 BepiColombo launched in October 2018 and took a long, looping and highly circuitous route toward Mercury our solar system's innermost planet. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
  1. roundabout
  2. rambling
  3. indirect
  4. prolix
  5. circular
Adjective
  • Google’s statement is essentially a roundabout way of confirming that Workspace and Photos data may inform ads.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In a roundabout fashion, Fielder and Oppenheim became the filmmakers charged with the task.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of roundabout
Adjective
  • The rambling, low-slung main residence was extensively renovated by the couple, who also expanded with a separate building that’s tucked up under a vast lawn.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Dylan Young and his Melbourne group fill their third album with winsome and warm tracks whose best moments combine rambling guitars with tales of bruising regret.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of rambling
Adjective
  • One was secured by liquid assets and by equity in entities that own real estate, with indirect reliance on the value of the team.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • My testing resulted in a similarly indirect answer when asking about the 2024 presidential election, with Google’s AI telling me to just consult the FEC for that information.
    — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of indirect
Adjective
  • Even the blandest overtures can whip him into a frantic, pornographic, prolix ecstasy.
    — Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The album is a concise, 10-song set, a deliberate contrast to prolix streaming-era albums like the ones released lately by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé.
    — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Definition of prolix
Adjective
  • Then carefully brûlée using a kitchen blowtorch, moving in a circular pattern, until the sugar is melted and a deep amber color.
    — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Robots, Barbie dolls, Supermans, T-rexes and princesses began to form in a circular line around the perimeter of the gym.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of circular

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circuitously
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Cite this Entry

“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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