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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
Even the acronym of GPS jibed with her view of how a kid’s own resourcefulness could be used as an inner compass. Shawn Price, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 This is such a wonderful way to reset one’s internal compass. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Sep. 2025
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
  • While the New York Times has significantly cut back on its unsigned editorial board pieces, the Post appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Researchers found that the receivers of the dance weren’t just following the direction and distance indicated by the waggle dance.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For example, political shifts and so on are coming, so the book ends up having a larger scope.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Federal courts of appeals have divided over the question of scope of applicability.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Shot creation shouldn’t be a problem, but perimeter shooting could be.
    CJ Moore, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • These events underscore ongoing challenges in securing these bases, particularly when personnel bring personal weapons, mental health issues arise, or external assailants breach security perimeters.
    Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Only three rookies have accomplished that feat since the introduction of the 3-point line during the 1979-80 season.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • What the subsidies accomplished The enhanced subsidies drove ACA marketplace participation to historic highs – more than 24 million people selected plans for 2025, up from about 11 million in 2020.
    Christopher Robertson, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The altitude is low enough to allow for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Two traditional Chinese dancers enter the frame, gracefully circling the robots as classical music plays.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The vessel will plot an 18-day course from the Chinese port of Ningbo-Zhoushan to Felixstowe in the UK, accompanied by ice breakers.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Soon, Crusifino left The D'Angelo Family after being accused of plotting against the stable.
    Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • While Nashville has grown by leaps and bounds, so have its smaller surrounding cities, as people flock to the suburbs, eager to enjoy small-town charm while staying close to the conveniences of a major metro.
    Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The paddock was filled with drivers and engineers working together while surrounded by fans watching closely.
    Keenan Thompson, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The next manager will be their sixth in nine seasons — enough for any sensible person to know that the problem extends far beyond that chair.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Horror fans often travel to destinations featured in scary movies or known for spooky legacies.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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