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
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
Two major highways have been closed for days due to landslides and floods, forcing travelers to take long, circuitous routes to reach their destinations.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
When asked if this characterization is correct, Griffin effectively answered yes, in a circuitous fashion.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of new lawsuits, led by Hursh, will follow the circuitous path left by Nida.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
Two major highways have been closed for days due to landslides and floods, forcing travelers to take long, circuitous routes to reach their destinations.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
When asked if this characterization is correct, Griffin effectively answered yes, in a circuitous fashion.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of new lawsuits, led by Hursh, will follow the circuitous path left by Nida.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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In a roundabout way, the country’s affluence might be contributing to its pessimism.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
24 May 2026
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Which is, in a roundabout way, how Colicchio ended up an investor in 30 companies.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Pochettino, in a rambling answer about his central midfield options, seemed to suggest that Reyna could play in a deeper, more defensive position.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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The California Military Academy spent a spectacular few of its early years, circa 1906, on the water at Santa Monica, leasing out the rambling Victorian pile that had once been the Arcadia Hotel.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The Financial Stability Board recently warned that global banks hold at least hundreds of billions of dollars in direct and indirect exposure to private credit funds.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
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Begonias prefer bright, indirect light rather than full, intense sun.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Even the blandest overtures can whip him into a frantic, pornographic, prolix ecstasy.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2026
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Ronald, who with his shock of white hair and prolix tendencies comes off like a frazzled professor, keeps to a more limited circuit writing out of his house and his office.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The 700-year-old circular Bellver Castle is an architectural gem, briefly used as royal residence, mostly as a ghastly political and military prison over six centuries, and now a museum of Roman and other relics.—
Norma Meyer,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
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What to read next The Milky Way disc is the circular flowing whirlpool-like structure, where most of our galaxy's stars, including our own sun, are located.—
Julian Dossett,
Space.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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