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 The Apollo 8 photo, however, showed Earth reemerging into view, rather than disappearing, as astronauts Bill Anders, Frank Borman and Jim Lovell circumnavigated the moon. Denise Chow, NBC news, 7 Apr. 2026 During the 1969 Apollo 10 mission — the one in which Thomas Stafford, John Young and Eugene Cernan circumnavigated the moon — Stafford reported back to mission control on Day 6 of the mission that a piece of waste was floating through the cabin, according to once-confidential government documents. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 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 See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumnavigate
Verb
  • Thursday saw the highest number of vessels traversing the strait since April, according to marine intelligence firm AXSMarine.
    Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • While the Deschutes River Trail makes traversing the area particularly leisurely, travelers can take advantage of Veo, a bike-sharing program that makes getting around quick and fun.
    Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • As fans leave Miami Stadium following World Cup matches, many are finding a way to bypass heavy gridlock by utilizing a free, county-run shuttle system.
    Abby Dodge, CBS News, 25 June 2026
  • The stern warning underscores Tehran's resolve to retain control over the Strait of Hormuz and to resist transits that bypass its authorization.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • Night is falling in Altadena as bats circle, peacocks wail and photographer Kevin Cooley tries to capture what’s left of a tree.
    Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Caglianone circled the bases for the sixth time in his last five games.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • In India, for instance, people are using VPNs to circumvent a national Telegram ban imposed to prevent cheating on national exams.
    Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026
  • About 20 African countries actively uphold term limits, the think tank says, while others have abolished or circumvented them, or are under military regimes that have suspended constitutional rule, allowing long-serving leaders to remain in office.
    Farai Mutsaka, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • The administration's other telescopic projects include SPHEREx, which launched in 2025 with the goal of conducting a widespread infrared spectral survey of the sky, and the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched in 2021 and now orbits the sun with a distance of one million miles from Earth.
    Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026
  • The power race is moving to orbit.
    Brigitte Bren, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Manhattan matchup The two super PAC networks have largely shied away from producing ads that mention AI and have mostly chosen to avoid competing against each other in the same races.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026
  • Drivers are being advised to take alternate routes and to avoid the area.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Departing from traditional geographical or chronological arrangements, the show aims to take advantage of the layout of the galleries, which encircle a courtyard and allow multiple entry points.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026
  • What Iran tried to do is encircle Israel with fire, with enemies.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • The vehicle was first detected traveling through Washington Heights, then flagged a second time about 10 minutes later crossing the University Heights Bridge.
    Jenna DeAngelis, CBS News, 22 June 2026
  • Since formally leaving the EU, those same potatoes must now pass customs checks and health inspections before being allowed to even cross the border into France.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumnavigate. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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