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
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 compasses
Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
In ordinary magnetic materials, unpaired electrons behave like tiny compasses and eventually align with one another.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 years ago, explorers began using compasses, typically made with a floating cork or piece of wood with a magnetized needle in it, to find their way.
—Scott Brame, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025
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
Noun
Pilots learn to navigate using maps and compasses, as well as natural cues such as stars and terrain features including rivers, bridges and other landmarks to orient themselves and move toward friendly forces.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
In ordinary magnetic materials, unpaired electrons behave like tiny compasses and eventually align with one another.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 years ago, explorers began using compasses, typically made with a floating cork or piece of wood with a magnetized needle in it, to find their way.
—Scott Brame, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025
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
-
Staff were stationed throughout, giving runners directions, passing out water and cheering us on.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Regular service on the Tehran–Moscow route will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in both directions, IRNA reported, citing officials with Mahan Air.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
During their recent visit, the three docents set up scopes to zoom in on the nest.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
The Orion Nebula, a showpiece easily visible in small scopes or binoculars below Orion’s Belt, is a bright eyepiece-filling gem.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The big winner is expected to be hard-right party Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, which is aiming for working-class, former Labor strongholds in England’s north and on London’s outer edges with its anti-establishment, anti-immigration message.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
The trio is still enthralled by the pointed edges of post-punk that serve as the skeleton of most of their tracks.—
David Glickman,
Pitchfork,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Leo will meet migrants in the Canary Islands, continuing Pope Francis’s focus on refugee outreach as Spain implements a historic legalization program for half a million unauthorized residents.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
The organization implements a proactive system of internal oversight, including weekly, monthly, and quarterly reviews to ensure continuous compliance and performance across all locations.—
Ascend Agency,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
That process moves forward, then circles back, then moves again.—
Felysha Walker
May 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
-
Enjoy a coffee break at The Lookout at Lake Poway before the group circles back.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Pattinson also enters the franchise as the villain Scytale, who plots to end Paul's rule over the universe.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But as the rover attempted to pull out its drill arm, the rock came up with it, having gotten lodged onto the sleeve that surrounds the tool’s bit.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
-
Set the scene The hotel’s name comes from the beach grass that surrounds it—perhaps your first clue as to how this summertime escape sits harmoniously among its Long Island coast setting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Holmes knows the difference between a hundred and forty types of tobacco ash.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
No one ever quite knows how an event will be interrupted, a notion that was proved bizarrely at last week’s World Snooker Championships when an audience member halted proceedings to protest about the BBC licence fee.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compasses. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
