1
as in direction
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
within the compass of my voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
within the compass of the city walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to accomplish
to carry through (as a process) to completion
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to circle
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
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3
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king
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4
5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of compass
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
It's got some incredible features, including mult-band frequency and GNSS network support, as well as a three-axis compass and gyroscope for those who love the outdoors.
—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
9 June 2026
Tomas Tranströmer,
The New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2024
At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence.
—
Alex Shephard,
The New Republic,
13 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for compass
Noun
An understanding of the seven levels of leadership acts as a mirror for existing leaders and a compass for aspiring leaders.
—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
It's got some incredible features, including mult-band frequency and GNSS network support, as well as a three-axis compass and gyroscope for those who love the outdoors.
—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
9 June 2026
Verb
The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul.
—
Tomas Tranströmer,
The New Yorker,
7 Oct. 2024
At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence.
—
Alex Shephard,
The New Republic,
13 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for compass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compass
Noun
-
Golf Road between Plum Grove and Commons Drive is closed in both directions as of Saturday afternoon.
-
That’s why the unveiling of a M Concept car that defines the direction of the next generation of BMW’s performance division is big news in the car world.
Noun
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Parias' case showcases the nexus of the issues — and the narrow scope of oversight and resources within the judicial and agency level for someone injured by the federal agency that is also detaining them.
-
His LinkedIn profile currently lists his most recent title as vice president of booster engineering—a refinement that narrows his scope to Starship’s first-stage Super Heavy booster, the most complex and powerful rocket booster ever constructed.
Noun
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Following multiple 911 calls, officers arrived at the scene and set up a perimeter.
-
The sheriff's office said deputies established a perimeter in the area and were actively searching for the suspect or suspects.
Verb
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Then, Derek Hill added a single, which brought up Bryson Stott with the chance at accomplishing that goal for the first time since the top of the eighth when Philadelphia scored three.
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This is one way to absolutely accomplish that goal!
Verb
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Night is falling in Altadena as bats circle, peacocks wail and photographer Kevin Cooley tries to capture what’s left of a tree.
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Caglianone circled the bases for the sixth time in his last five games.
Verb
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This doesn’t mean elite parents sit around plotting class reproduction over brunch.
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He was invited by Malcolm X to stay in Harlem at the famous Hotel Theresa, where agents with ties to the FBI, CIA and the Mafia, plotted to assassinate him.
Verb
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Even with the agreement, many of the details surrounding taxpayer services during the Olympics and Paralympics will remain unresolved for at least a year.
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The golden generation of American men — Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and the rest of the Group D winning crew — live and surrounded by red, white and blue in the home of the red and gold.
Verb
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It is known to cause neurological problems, convulsions and comas, with children particularly at risk.
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Martin, 36, best known for his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was selected in August as one of the top-50 players in franchise history as part of the team’s 50th anniversary celebration.
Cite this Entry
“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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