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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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
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Recent Examples of circuitous
This lion was traveling a circuitous route from mountains to foothills to backyards and front yards, navigating urban sprawl but avoiding encounters with people.
—
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Andrew Fearn’s production on Planet X is typically circuitous, rigid loops pumping like factory machinery.
—Pete Tosiello, Pitchfork, 27 Jan. 2026
And for those of us who have long grown tired of watching flawed and avoidant young white men make the circuitous journey toward seeking help, the scenes also build sympathy for Aaron.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump did meander through some talk of the economy, though his explanations were often too circuitous or false to be very persuasive.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026
Andrew Fearn’s production on Planet X is typically circuitous, rigid loops pumping like factory machinery.
—Pete Tosiello, Pitchfork, 27 Jan. 2026
And for those of us who have long grown tired of watching flawed and avoidant young white men make the circuitous journey toward seeking help, the scenes also build sympathy for Aaron.
—Natalia Winkelman, IndieWire, 27 Jan. 2026
Trump did meander through some talk of the economy, though his explanations were often too circuitous or false to be very persuasive.
—David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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And in some strange, roundabout way, the experience might wind up making USC and its star freshman much better in the long run.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
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This monologue on housing theory was a roundabout way of explaining a photo of Censori with her mother, aunt, and sister, in which Censori looks like the daughter of a Real Housewife of New Jersey, with a clementine tan and leopard-print bustier.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The thinktank session was held at the rambling 40-acre Mettawa estate of another presidential also-ran, Adlai Stevenson II.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
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The writing can be rambling, unedited, and niche, or sharp, pristine, and relatable.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Direct and indirect stock holdings, including mutual funds or retirement plans, accounted for an all-time high of 45% of households’ financial assets in the second quarter of 2025, according to Federal Reserve data.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
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Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation left for the Swiss city after the first round of indirect talks took place in Oman last week.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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His answer is this book: a laudably sincere, exasperatingly prolix and occasionally affecting rumination on the state of Egypt—its society, culture, history and politics—pegged to the maddening bureaucracy of the archive.—
Kapil Komireddi,
WSJ,
12 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Cheuk’s design practice emphasizes advanced circular fashion and sustainable production, with a major impact on Hong Kong’s fashion scene.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
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While brands work to reduce their use of water and chemicals usage, denim heads are also shifting toward more circular solutions.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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