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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
  • And renting an empty office with nothing more to do than read the newspaper every day is rarely fulfilling.
    — Robert Balentine, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • But don’t sit at home, doing random tasks for empty nonprofits, believing in the ruse of fulfilling the necessary 200 volunteer hours to get into college.
    — Anya Joseph, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
Definition of fulfilling
Verb
  • Potential contenders including former health chief Nirav Shah and ex-Senate president Troy Jackson are circling, while disillusioned voters liken Platner’s exit to Democrats’ last-minute scramble to replace Joe Biden.
    — Kimberlee Kruesi, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Sources tell Variety that programmers at each of the fall festivals — Venice, Telluride, Toronto and New York — are circling the title, though a premiere venue has yet to be set.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 July 2026
Definition of circling
Verb
  • But now, Yepez sits in jail — accused of plotting to kill one of her employees.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • Sources tell OutKick that Pitaro backed Mark Jones in 2020 when Jones falsely accused police officers of plotting to shoot him.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of plotting
Verb
  • Nester also called into question the security protocols surrounding the event, asking Bagley about how many officers were assigned and other preparations.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • All shades, all colors, 4 million faces surrounding them with resounding support and unrequited love.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of surrounding
Verb
  • This tactical ideology is what gives Morocco an edge, understanding what works so well in Europe and adapting it to their player pool.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • Those worries make sense, and understanding how bird flu spreads and what to watch for is the best way to protect your flock and yourself.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of understanding
Verb
  • Make Donors The Story’s Heroes Years ago, a development professional taught me to center donor communications around what the donor is accomplishing.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The primary question is whether this crowded field of new entrants is actually accomplishing anything, or whether its members are simply tripping over one another with deleterious impact.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
Definition of accomplishing
Verb
  • The property’s expert concierge is always a WhatsApp message away and can arrange a menu of experiences at the villas or nearby resort for you—or leave your schedule empty for hours spent by the pool and traversing nearby cliffs and beaches.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • Individuals have been traversing the globe on their own as far back as travel records have been recorded.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of traversing
Verb
  • Cheers roared from the crowd encircling the concrete arena as two skateboarders slammed into each other at top speed.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 June 2026
  • Styled by Brad Goreski, Moore wore a custom cobalt blue Self Portrait gown with an oversized bow encircling the hips, falling into a train.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 May 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 14 Jul. 2026.

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