as in rambling
using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea
the studio's statement that "the film's earnings did not live up to expectations" was a circumlocutory admission that the movie was a flop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumlocutory
Adjective
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Her rambling answer includes several deep breaths and a pause that has Mike’s mom shaking her head.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
25 Feb. 2026 -
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
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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The moody Moon and wary Chiron trine across your talkative 3rd house and your convivial 11th house, guiding your explanations of complex issues.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
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In court, Tillman was upbeat and talkative with his federal public defender, Varell Fuller, prior to making his guilty plea.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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What may sound like a verbose exercise is made vibrant by King’s deft direction.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
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But Dreher has been giving voice to the yearnings and frustrations of religious conservatives for many years—as a magazine blogger with more than 1 million pageviews a month, an author of best-selling books, and a deliriously verbose writer on Substack.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And even that route was circuitous.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Shipments on the circuitous route are increasing.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Oftentimes, a trench coat is the outfit, so picking one with standout detailing, like exaggerated lapels or a chic waist belt, is always a smart move.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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Some critics claim the author has made exaggerated claims in the past about tech, but that is beside the point.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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During a Moon-Pluto trine with Luna in your connected 7th house and Pluto in your wordy 3rd house, you’re called to strengthen your agreements through open dialogue.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
24 Feb. 2026
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In frank yet wordy songs that layer guitars and synths over shimmering grooves, Duff sings about trying to overcome old habits and about her fear that her best times are behind her.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Circumlocutory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumlocutory. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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