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 fulfils
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
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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
-
As for Franklin, his next move could go in a number of directions.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Follow the label directions and spray in the late afternoon or early evening when the armyworms are active and feeding.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
At launch, there will be 18 maps to compete on and 30 weapons to unlock, with dozens of customization options allowing users to fine tune their guns’ scopes, grips, barrels, and more.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
-
They can also be modified to accommodate different rounds, scopes and lighter stocks made of fiberglass.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Here, though, the aggressive Blue Jays hitters are hammering the first hittable pitch from a staff that hates to nibble around the edges.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
In furniture, the revival of those slightly distant decades leans toward soft silhouettes, rounded edges and a low-slung vibe.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Yet, as Team Ellison circles, the quick-footed WBD CEO supposedly has attracted the interest of Amazon and Netflix as potential buyers – or at least that’s the word on Warner Boulevard.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The route circles the Yucatán and connects the peninsula to the neighboring states of Chiapas and Tabasco.—
Simon Willis,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That of the vampy, endlessly ambitious, and deliciously ruthless weather presenter Suzanne Stone, who plots to knock off her husband (Matt Dillon) in Gus Van Sant’s satirical romp.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
-
However, the game rights change is contingent on the larger ESPN-NFL deal passing Department of Justice review, which seems increasingly unlikely to come before the NFL plots its 2026 calendar.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Ring of Fire surrounds much of the Pacific Ocean and is home to numerous oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and fault systems.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Another diagnostic option involves measuring amyloid beta and certain modified forms of tau in the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, but collecting this fluid requires a lumbar puncture, which many people find too invasive.—
Robert Martone,
Scientific American,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Adding to the uncertainty is that no one knows exactly how many tankers full of fuel SpaceX will need to launch to give Starship enough gas for a moon-landing mission, which NASA has planned for mid-2027.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Who knows… maybe in the next life.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Multiple units can also be combined to create a larger development, unlocking potential in the realms of luxury hospitality and adventure travel.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
15 Oct. 2025
-
And understanding Coco as someone who designed by circumstance opened new realms for Blazy’s work.—
Nathan Heller,
Vogue,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compasses. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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