Definition of circumnavigatenext
1
as in to traverse
to travel completely around the first ship to circumnavigate the globe

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to bypass
to avoid by going around we can circumnavigate the traffic jam if we take the next exit

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 circumnavigate Hassan Hakmoun and Adam Rudolph’s score circumnavigates the Mediterranean — a sea which touches Duato’s native Spain, North Africa, the Greek isles, Turkey, Syria, Israel and Gaza. Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 Four are named in honor of different Miami Dolphins players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame that circumnavigate South Florida – the DCC 5K along with the Dan Marino, Larry Csonka, Zach Thomas and Jason Tyler Rides. Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026 Superpressure balloons can last for months and travel long distances, potentially circumnavigating the globe, all the while reporting their position. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2026 Learn about the native flora and fauna at the Seaside Nature Center, or borrow a free bike and cycle the Bike Loop trail that circumnavigates the park. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumnavigate
Verb
  • The wheels will provide excellent reliability and energy efficiency for traversing the Lunar surface, while the arms provide great dexterity to manipulate objects.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
  • Again, his narration for the eight-part series, which used captivating cinematography and told dramatic stories of animals traversing the natural world, won an Emmy.
    Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Verb
  • The Center for Biological Diversity has sued the Department of Homeland Security, arguing that its efforts to bypass environmental regulations to speed up construction are unconstitutional.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
  • Owner Dawn Welch has run it for decades, surviving a fire, a new interstate that bypassed the town, and everything else the highway has thrown at it.
    Heide Brandes, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Now, Pakistan is quietly growing its influence in the region while Washington and Tehran circle one another for another round of negotiations.
    Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
  • Given rumors were circling that José Mourinho was on his way back to manage the team next season, some assumed Pérez would be addressing that, looking to steady the ship after a torrid few months in the Spanish capital.
    Ben Church, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Digital media give more prominence to the role of scientists and PR professionals who can directly appeal to the public, circumventing the gatekeeping function that science journalists performed.
    Prodromos Yannas, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
  • Lower courts likely won't approve a measure that aims to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling and would probably reject any law that ties the provision of general government services to the behaviors of the recipients, Smith said.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • In 2022, similar detection work resulted in NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which slammed the DART spacecraft into the small asteroid Dimorphos orbiting the larger asteroid Didymos, changing the orbits of both child and parent around the sun.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 May 2026
  • The system contains a black hole and a massive blue supergiant star orbiting each other.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • The problem is, when your side lack intensity, aggression and cohesion, those traps are easy to spot and avoid.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • October 23 – November 21 The real conversation is probably the one everyone has been avoiding.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • This year’s flights encircle the country and include loitering patterns, those in 2025 appear to just pass by, Ian Petchenik of Flightradrar24 told USA TODAY.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • By using drones to interdict supply lines from a distance, Ukrainian forces can impose the effects of a siege without physically encircling a city, redefining how an opponent can be isolated in modern warfare.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • As the final buzzer sounded, James sat stoically at the end of the bench with his arms crossed close to his chest.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • The next chance of showers and thunderstorms also arrives Tuesday afternoon as a cold front crosses the region.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumnavigate. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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