1
as in directions
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 scopes
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
within the compass of my voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in edges
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 implements
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 circles
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plots
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in surrounds
to form a circle around
a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in knows
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 compasses
Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between checkpoints using maps and compasses.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between checkpoints using maps and compasses.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compasses
Noun
-
Just like a star, Dallas is sprawling out in different directions.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The rural highway was closed in both directions while the crash was investigated and the wreckage cleared.—
Kristina Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Homegrown Indian brands, such as Bombay Perfumery and Forest Essentials, are in the scopes of beauty experts.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Radar scopes in the tower showed the targets tightening around his position.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
28 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
These changes, as well as, wearing bangs were a major key to keeping her edges strong.—
Essence,
Essence,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Each diffuser implements innovative dry air technology that freshens approximately 800 square feet, and each cartridge lasts approximately 300 hours.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Workers in New York will enjoy the second-highest wage floor, as the state implements a minimum hourly wage of $17 for workers in New York City, Long Island and Westchester.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The menu at the motel’s restaurant, ISH Kitchen, circles the globe from Mediterranean shawarma to Japanese ramen to a Vietnamese dish of marinated ground beef wrapped in kaffir lime leaves.—
Melanie Haiken,
Outside,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Thus begins a thorny relationship in which Jules plots vengeance, though their dynamic soon takes a fascinating turn.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Dec. 2025
-
Bad Santa follows an alcoholic scammer named Willie (Thornton) who poses as a mall Santa and plots to rob the stores on Christmas Eve with his sidekick, Marcus (Tony Cox).—
Lydia Price,
PEOPLE,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, their followings are distinct from the quasi-religious fervor thar surrounds Khan.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Last year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame chairman John Sykes cracked open the door to dispel a bit of mystique that surrounds his nominating committee.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Gravette may not be where most expect to find an athlete competing on a global stage, but maybe that's just because Madie Edwards knows how to keep a low profile.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Armario knows the fast-food world from every angle—rising the industry ranks from Burger King crew member to a McDonald’s executive overseeing global supply chain, development, and franchising.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compasses. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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