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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 works showcased come from the Kartell archive and include black and white shots that depict Kartell classic items such as the gold compass, or the little chair by Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 7 Apr. 2025 Customer preferences must be the compass for innovation, and financial institutions must respond to changing needs and expectations to ensure core services remain available. Octavio Marquez, Forbes, 25 Mar. 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
  • Navigators calculate their position by keeping track of their starting point, direction, speed and time at sea.
    The Conversation, The Conversation, 14 May 2025
  • Alonso’s system typically employed a back three, leaving the wing-backs large amounts to cover in both directions.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • After Trump's whiplash on tariffs in recent months, the full scope of the economic impact on Canada is not yet clear.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • Analysts say there is much scope to remove brands and cut headcount.
    Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2025
  • This was certifiably his worst night ever as a perimeter threat.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Given the corporate intrigue and multiple regulatory strands circling the case and the merger review, the actual merits of the case often get lost.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Planes were either stuck on the runway or forced to circle above the airport while waiting to land.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Until his death in Pennsylvania last year, Gülen, a Turkish Muslim preacher who was accused of plotting a coup against President Recep Tayyip in 2016, was wanted as a terrorist leader in Turkey and Pakistan.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 14 May 2025
  • The Keeling Curve, a graph that plots concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere over time, uses measurements taken at Mau Loa Observatory, starting in 1958.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Flash flooding will also be a risk for those areas and the surrounding areas across the East.
    Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 3 May 2025
  • He’s placed small wooden blocks wrapped in felt behind the headboard to protect the wall without being an eyesore or causing permanent damage to the surrounding space.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • The channel is known for its over-the-top stunts and contests.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
  • The two probably are best known for their collaboration on Silver Linings Playbook.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Thus, to the extent that the IEEPA’s language is unclear, the major questions doctrine suggests that the law should be construed to not permit these tariffs.
    Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
  • The extent of an Artemis lunar surface presence would be determined by several factors, including the cost and safety of this transportation program and whether there are meaningful things for astronauts to do on the Moon.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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