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compassing

verb

present participle of compass
1
as in fulfilling
to carry through (as a process) to completion attempting more than his modest abilities could compass

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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

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4
as in surrounding
to form a circle around a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for compassing
  1. fulfilling
  2. circling
  3. plotting
  4. surrounding
  5. understanding
  6. accomplishing
  7. traversing
  8. encircling
Verb
  • Early Mormon teaching also interpreted plural marriage as fulfilling a divine decree to increase the population.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Next up, if the deal closes as expected in a couple weeks, is the plan to start finding those $6 billion in cost synergies between the companies while fulfilling the rules-of-the-road in the consent decree.
    — Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of fulfilling
Verb
  • After reporting that a number of talent agents were circling the AI actress for representation, the story quickly sparked a global debate and firmly put Zurich at the forefront of the conversation.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • For now, Hubble is still circling Earth, continuing to turn those seemingly ordinary trips around our planet into extraordinary views of the universe.
    — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of circling
Verb
  • The movie’s antihero, Doug (Will Brill), is a middle school theater teacher plotting his revenge against his ex-girlfriend Abigail (Gillian Jacobs), also a teacher — and her new boyfriend, the more charming Principal Brady (Rob Lowe).
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In other words, your friend may be absorbing your taste without plotting a hostile takeover of your life, Single White Female style.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of plotting
Verb
  • The privacy problem The bigger concern surrounding this tech, however, is privacy.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Meanwhile, bodies are starting to float in from the surrounding lakes and streams, transforming the picturesque setting into a hellscape that, when the Soviets arrive, is likely to get worse.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of surrounding
Verb
  • Under the memorandum of understanding the two sides signed in June that collapsed within days, Iran's nuclear program was meant to be discussed over a 60-day period.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Still, understanding your own reason for saying yes or no can make the decision much easier.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of understanding
Verb
  • Curtis had a difficult time rebuilding the staff at her clubs on the way out of the pandemic — accomplishing that only with the help of comics who promoted her efforts on their podcasts.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Achievement is much more useful when the person accomplishing it still likes the life waiting afterward.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of accomplishing
Verb
  • Frith has three friends with her when she’s first seen traversing the marshes.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The production’s adventurousness, traversing every corner of Brad Bentz’s scenic design, can have a diffuse effect.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of traversing
Verb
  • Dumas watched, charmed, his arms encircling his wife’s shoulders, and accepted an ice-cream sundae in a silver parfait cup.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • There are no bleachers, so spectators set up lawn chairs encircling the field.
    — Kelenna Onukwugha, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of encircling
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.

Browse Nearby Words

compasses
compassing
compassion
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Cite this Entry

“Compassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassing. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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