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
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Recent Examples of circumnavigate
The underpinnings of a global order can be traced to the age of discovery, when Europeans first learned to circumnavigate the globe, then established a presence at vast distances, and followed that with empires.
—
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Spoelstra charted out a map for Herro to circumnavigate by running into antithetical gaps on a possession-by-possession basis, creating inconsistencies that got Cleveland’s fatigued defense out of rhythm.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The Drake Passage also gained attention online thanks to the Royal Caribbean 9-Month World Cruise, which circumnavigated the globe from December 2023 to September 2024.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
More recently, Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia’s coastline for more than three weeks and holding wargames near New Zealand, two unprecedented developments that have rattled the U.S. allies.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Spoelstra charted out a map for Herro to circumnavigate by running into antithetical gaps on a possession-by-possession basis, creating inconsistencies that got Cleveland’s fatigued defense out of rhythm.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The Drake Passage also gained attention online thanks to the Royal Caribbean 9-Month World Cruise, which circumnavigated the globe from December 2023 to September 2024.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
More recently, Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia’s coastline for more than three weeks and holding wargames near New Zealand, two unprecedented developments that have rattled the U.S. allies.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumnavigate
Verb
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While there have been hundreds of successful expeditions across the Mid-Atlantic, the North Atlantic is less frequently traversed by solo ocean rowers and teams.—
Danielle Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
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Orlando Sentinel Florida’s House speaker stood up to DeSantis, and shifted the power dynamics Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida would normally be traversing the state this time of year, trumpeting his legislative accomplishments and the fellow Republican lawmakers who had fallen in line to achieve them.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 June 2025
Verb
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If Michael Misa is somehow bypassed after the first two picks, the Blackhawks would be happy to take him.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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In some cases, this might mean bypassing or delaying scheduled stops, particularly if the medical need is critical and the ship is far from land.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Two people, circling each other, face-to-face, trying to—through that close looking—gauge each other’s interest in limits and limitations, in line-crossing.—
Hanif Abdurraqib
June 12,
Literary Hub,
12 June 2025
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Share your favorite joke, show him a funny video on your phone, or introduce him to the latest meme circling the internet.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
11 June 2025
Verb
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In doing so, Ford circumvented a hefty 25% tariff and only paid a 2.5% import duty.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
18 June 2025
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Months later, Musk's bombastic plan to slash the bureaucracy has been blunted by a flurry of legal challenges that allege DOGE overstepped its authority, circumvented privacy laws, and disregarded protocols for shrinking the workforce.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
16 June 2025
Verb
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The first 27 Kuiper satellites were deployed to orbit on April 28, 2025, following a launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
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Our solar system orbits the galaxy's center, taking about 250 million years to make one revolution.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
16 June 2025
Verb
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Several groups have begun paying street vendors in California to temporarily stop working in public areas to avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 June 2025
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Traditionally, presidents such as George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush, have followed the long-standing practice of avoiding criticism in a public way.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Pochettino was asked multiple times about Pulisic’s interview, which added only another layer of drama to the narratives now encircling this team.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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The pendant itself is an image of the Virgin Mary, encircled by a sunburst-like filigree frame.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Essence,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
16 June 2025
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Fingers crossed for an eventual console release as well!—
David Jagneaux,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumnavigate. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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