detour 1 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌtu̇r How to pronounce detour (audio)
Definition of detournext
as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard we'll regard this relapse as just a brief detour on your road to recovery from substance abuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

detour

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bypass
to avoid by going around we had to detour the construction zone in order to get to the stadium

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction we had to detour for a few miles around the section of highway under construction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 detour
Noun
With very few alternate routes, Caltrans is recommending two lengthy detours around the closure. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Those detours would often be the inspiration that produced new design ideas. — Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
Northbound 287 traffic will be detoured to the Wilbarger Street exit. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 Drivers will be detoured to Doors 3 and 4 on the other side of the terminal, the airport said in a news release. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour
  1. deviation
  2. bypass
  3. deviate
  4. departure
  5. circumvent
  6. turn
  7. avoid
  8. swing
Noun
  • The meat may have been stored in a refrigerator experiencing unsafe deviations in temperature.
    — Eva Flowe October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Detecting such deviations could help distinguish between competing explanations for inflation and reveal more about the universe’s earliest conditions.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of deviation
Verb
  • Users, unsurprisingly, have found ways to bypass the new QR code restriction.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Just remember that apps bypassing the VPN will expose your regular public IP address.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of bypass
Verb
  • But in Central Asia, far from the empire’s center, local artists sometimes used the mosaics to deviate from the official agenda.
    — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But over time, due to a variety of systems issues with obtaining certain medications, the lethal injection protocol has deviated from the standard devised by Chapman.
    — M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of deviate
Noun
  • Since Sorrells was sworn in, at least 79 assistant district attorneys have resigned, according to a source familiar with the departures.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • His departure just days before the midterms adds to the questions swirling around MAHA’s salience to the electorate.
    — Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of departure
Verb
  • All three said West Point appears to be circumventing the judge's ruling by using a different justification to continue to enforce its speech rules.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • To circumvent the council’s rulings, Khan created a development corporation, a mayoral body that could take control of the area and assume planning powers from the council.
    — Will Barker, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of circumvent
Verb
  • David Standridge’s philosophy is all about harvesting what’s plentiful and turning it into something delicious.
    — Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Future success will require Space42 to turn its technological capabilities, capital commitments and international partnerships into commercially viable services that can compete across markets at scale and at a sustainable cost.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of turn
Verb
  • Following her death, Trail dismembered Loofe’s body to avoid getting caught.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Better monitoring tools can help farmers identify disease threats earlier and avoid expensive eradication campaigns.
    — Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of avoid
Verb
  • The outcome in California's 13th District could hinge on whether Lincoln can attract moderate and swing voters beyond the Republican base.
    — Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Fans at Capital One Arena swung white towels ecstatically after Justin Champagnie converted a shot — also drawing a foul — to give the Wizards a seven-point lead with just over eight minutes left.
    — Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of swing

Browse Nearby Words

detonations
detour
detoured
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Cite this Entry

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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