COMPASSING Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

compassing

verb

present participle of compass

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

as in circling

to travel completely around the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

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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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as in surrounding

to form a circle around a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas

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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

Verb

The Dangote group also plans to set up a second refinery in Kenya to form a network capable of fulfilling the continent’s needs.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The Obamas adopted Bo in 2009, fulfilling a campaign promise to Malia and Sasha.

— Gabriella Biello, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of fulfilling

Verb

An exclusive excerpt published by Decibel centers on Cave In and the period surrounding the band’s breakthrough Jupiter, when major labels began circling.

— SPIN Staff, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2026
This usually begins with the wasp cautiously circling its target while slowly getting closer.

— Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of circling

Verb

In recent years, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine grinds on, NATO states have accused Russia of plotting sabotage attacks and other operations in Europe.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
O’Kane shouts when Tom Brokaw announces that one of the men suspected of plotting the attack has been detained.

— Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of plotting

Verb

And thanks to another recent state law — the Live Local Act — developers would be able to sidestep local zoning regulations, allowing for a project that would smash height restrictions to tower above all surrounding buildings.

— Daniel Rivero, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Dillard’s work, though not exclusively about nature, often focused on the natural world, the cruelty and beauty of both flora and fauna, narrowing in on the extremity of the biological systems surrounding us.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of surrounding

Verb

Space scientists view them as time capsules for understanding the early Solar System and how the building blocks of life reached Earth.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Combs is undeniably talented, with a natural knack for understanding his audience.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of understanding

Verb

Achievement is much more useful when the person accomplishing it still likes the life waiting afterward.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
By gradually accomplishing a de-facto annexation of the West Bank, the settlements would require Israeli Jews either to rule over a resentful non-Jewish population of about equal size or to surrender the Jewish identity of their state.

— David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of accomplishing

Verb

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
People were part of Pleistocene history, adapting to the colder climates in the north and traversing the unglaciated regions to the south of the glacial margins.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 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.

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compasses

compassing

compassion

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“Compassing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compassing. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of compassing

verb

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