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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Scream 7 has had a circuitous journey to the screen.
—
Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Books sometimes have their own circuitous lives, too.
—Jack Barlow, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
In the era of the internet, the circuitous, often murky, nature of art and inspiration plays out in a collective conversation that benefits from a degree of obscurity.
—Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
Instead of direct routes, U.S. military deportation flights have been forced to take circuitous routes because military flights over the airspace of some countries requires more advanced notice, Isacson said.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Books sometimes have their own circuitous lives, too.
—Jack Barlow, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025
In the era of the internet, the circuitous, often murky, nature of art and inspiration plays out in a collective conversation that benefits from a degree of obscurity.
—Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
Instead of direct routes, U.S. military deportation flights have been forced to take circuitous routes because military flights over the airspace of some countries requires more advanced notice, Isacson said.
—Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
-
The longer approaches along U.S. 231 are designed to address the sudden change in speed from 55 mph to 25 mph at the roundabout approach, according to specifications provided by INDOT.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2025
-
In other jurisdictions, this has served as a roundabout way to force police departments to pull those officers from street patrol or detective work, roles that regularly require police to testify about arrests or other incidents.—
Skye Seipp,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Refine your key points to be clear and concise—no rambling monologues.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
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
-
While Erin itself is staying offshore, the indirect effects serve as a reminder of how powerful hurricanes can be, even from hundreds of miles away.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The government backed this vision with enormous financial support, spending one to two percent of GDP each year on direct and indirect subsidies, cheap credit, and tax breaks.—
DAN WANG,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
This latest development comes less than a week after Loop introduced its circular polyester resin made entirely from textile waste, known as Twist.—
Jennifer Bringle,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Scrub with a soft sponge in circular motions, focusing on those stained areas.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share