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
  • The decision to cut the running time makes roundabout sense, given that one of the few things most Western viewers know about Hindi movies is their historically enormous lengths.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
  • In a roundabout way, this might actually help lead to more games between marquee opponents, specifically because the outcome doesn't matter.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 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
  • But Yotsukura said the bigger gains may come from indirect uses across productions that involve more than 100 staff.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Perhaps even more important are all the many indirect effects insects have on the food supply.
    — Chris Elphick, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 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
  • Massage, don’t scrub Use your fingertips in small circular motions, without ever scrubbing.
    — Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026
  • On top of his head is a small box, about one inch square in size, connected to a circular portal in his skull about the size of a nickel.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of circular

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Cite this Entry

“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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