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compass

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verb

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as in to circle
to travel completely around the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compass are gamut, orbit, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When is gamut a more appropriate choice than compass?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When is it sensible to use orbit instead of compass?

In some situations, the words orbit and compass are roughly equivalent. However, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Where would range be a reasonable alternative to compass?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When could scope be used to replace compass?

The words scope and compass can be used in similar contexts, but scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

In what contexts can sweep take the place of compass?

Although the words sweep and compass have much in common, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

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 compass
Noun
The First Edition offers Bentley’s captivating Rotating Display (otherwise optional), a smooth veneer fascia situated in the center of the dash that rotates to reveal a 12.3-inch digital touchscreen or three classic analog instruments showing outside air temperature, a compass, and a chronometer. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 11 June 2025 Learning to use an old-fashioned map and compass — and bringing them with you — can mean the difference between a planned day hike and spending the night in the wilderness. Amanda Loudin, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul. Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Abigail Jackson The adjacent dining area is dedicated to family heirlooms like a set of Allan Gould compass chairs from Kate’s interior designer grandmother and a red vintage rug from her great-grandparents. Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for compass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compass
Noun
  • Moreover, some leadership teams today have heightened security concerns, in addition to the challenge of acting as the face and key driver of an organization’s strategic direction.
    Michele Dobnikar, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Art direction is led by Pawas Sawatchaiyamet (Monkey Man) and visual effects is headed by Lee Stringer (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell, Star Wars: Clone Wars).
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The language would have required a plaintiff seeking an emergency court order or preliminary injunction against the administration to pay a costly bond up front, limiting the scope of legal action against Trump’s executive actions.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 23 June 2025
  • Unless policy reflects the full scope of physical and financial risk, not just short-term political cycles, systems that look solid on paper may collapse under pressure.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Those are 3-point shooting, second-unit scoring and perimeter defense.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
  • Oftentimes, planting a perimeter screen cover enhances that feeling of safety.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Dude’s a lifelong utility player — rock solid on guitar and vocals with the family band, while Willie circles the beat, and a team player with frequent Neil Young backing crew Promise of the Real.
    Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
  • Members of the president's national security team circled in and out of the Oval Office throughout much of the day to provide updates, the official said.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, for several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro.
    Jovana Gec, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • The dark comedy films, which also star Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis, follow friends who plot to murder their abusive bosses.
    Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • Over the course of the next several days, more demonstrations and riots occurred in the surrounding neighborhood including Christopher Park.
    Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2025
  • This week, the weather in New York City—and many surrounding regions—could only be described as one visceral word: sauna.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration said the strikes destroyed Iran's nuclear infrastructure, but the full extent of the damage is not known.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • The parliamentarian determined that a provision to bar immigrants who are not citizens or lawful permanent residents from receiving food assistance benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, should also be removed.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • All in all, with that many golfers dominating the Detroit Golf Club to this extent, the door is wide open for someone to make a move up the leaderboard and take home the PGA Tour event win on Sunday.
    Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • That pact will inspire confidence and make peace to the extent that all signatories and other affected parties (including Israel) still trust in international law and legitimacy.
    Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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