1
as in fulfilling
to carry through (as a process) to completion
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in circling
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plotting
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 surrounding
to form a circle around
a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in understanding
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassing
Verb
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This was the 10th overall pick the Giants acquired after trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, fulfilling his trade request amid a contract dispute.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026 -
Cozy nights, redecorating, family affairs or inviting someone sweet into your personal space can feel especially fulfilling.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
News of his involvement comes following our story yesterday on McCarthy circling the project.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Harris spent the morning circling the block waiting for news.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After expressing sorrow for having put innocent people in danger by transporting weaponry and plotting to commit an act of violence in a public place, Allen’s letter lays out his list of targets.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
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But the show’s plotting and Niall’s exquisite complexity more than make up for Ruben’s relative flatness.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kate Perez The royal visit is part of the celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Such events underscore the complicated security questions surrounding presidential protection in a country where citizens expect their leaders to move through public spaces, hold rallies, attend events and appear before crowds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Signs of a stroke can be identified by sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech; issues with eyesight; loss of balance, dizziness, and difficulty walking; and severe headache with no identifiable cause.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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This diversity has huge implications for understanding galactic evolution.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Spurs won to take a 2-1 series lead, already accomplishing their one job of regaining home-court advantage no matter what happens in Game 4.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The greatest scorer in NBA history and his 21-year-old son have been teammates for nearly two years, but the prospect of accomplishing a new first is still special to both generations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Iran war has led to a virtual stoppage in ships traversing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, constraining the flow of global energy supplies.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Soon, Callaghan — alongside Nic Mosher and Evan Gilbert-Katz — was traversing the country in a shabby RV, documenting the surreal, perturbing and often hilarious fringes of American culture.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If your houseplant was severely pot-bound with encircling roots, trim the overgrown roots back by one-third.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
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In recent years, Beijing has stepped up military drills near Taiwan, even encircling the island by land, air and sea last year.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
7 Apr. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Compassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassing. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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