detour 1 of 2

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

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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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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

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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
Regardless, this detour into a genre not previously associated with clacking mandibles and righteous kills suggests the brand’s braintrust wants to diversify its portfolio a bit. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2025 Take a detour to discover the road less traveled—you’ll never go back. Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
Motorists can detour by taking the I-43 southbound exit ramp to Highway 100 (108th Street); Highway 100 to Layton Avenue; and Layton Avenue to the 60th Street entrance ramp back to I-41 southbound/I-43 northbound/I-894 eastbound. Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Weekend traffic on westbound I-94 will be detoured from northbound I-35E to westbound Minnesota Highway 36 to southbound Minnesota Highway 280. Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for detour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour
Noun
  • Serving as a subtle deviation from her black outfit, the shoes were crafted from espresso brown velvet.
    Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The low numbers set by the cap are another deviation.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 9 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The provision would close a loophole from the 2018 farm bill that has allowed unregulated THC products to be sold nationwide, bypassing state cannabis laws.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • And Song felt steadfast support from A24, who gave the film a commercial summer release — unlike Past Lives, Materialists bypassed festivals — and didn’t intervene with her vision.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • But critics also pointed out the ways in which the film deviated from real life.
    Sarah Weinman, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Quite the opposite, in fact, which doesn’t deviate much from his usual nature.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Travelers who are planning to fly over the next week are encouraged to check the flight status before leaving home, arrive early for longer than usual security lines, and consider backup options before the departure day.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Her departure adds to a growing list of Democrats, including former House speaker Nancy Pelosi who plan to retire after this term.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This same method is being used to circumvent current sanctions, said sources in Myanmar who spoke to the Herald on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from the junta.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The book explained how to calculate interest rates, circumvent the Church’s usury laws, apportion profits, and assess revenues and costs.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Washington, wary of straining its ties with New Delhi, turns a blind eye.
    MUHIB RAHMAN, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Dames’ intention is to turn the headquarters into a creative hub and point of convergence of different disciplines, driven by collaborations.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Flyers should try to mitigate any headaches from delays and cancellations by avoiding booking flights with layovers, the non-profit US Public Interest Research Group says, and opt to make reservations directly with the airline rather than a third-party website.
    Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Accumulations could swing wildly block to block.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • In Manassas Park, Virginia, a city that is nearly 40% Hispanic, the electorate swung 22 points to the left last week for Democratic Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger.
    Halle Troadec, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.

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