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
The route’s optional detour to Pungyen Glacier might well be my favorite day hike in the entire Himalaya. Bradley Mayhew, Outside Online, 2 July 2025 On Sunday, the Denver Pride Parade will kick off at 9:30 a.m., prompting detours and delays for at least 14 RTD bus routes. Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 26 June 2025
Verb
Both Ridge Road and Main Street will be used to detour traffic, with trucks using Main Street. Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 How to get around the Davidson Street closure As part of the closure, bike lanes are closed and detoured with signs. Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for detour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour
Noun
  • Because in the grand symphony of automotive manufacturing, this sneaky little data gremlin slipped past quality checks, and the deviation was written off as statistical noise.
    Raghu Para, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • However, the deviation came up front, where Gonzalo Plata, who is more of a winger than a centre-forward, started in place of Pedro.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Although the film raked in over $44 million at the global box office, the need to bypass traditional studios reflects broader patterns where Black women must build alternative systems to access fair compensation.
    Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • Now, hackers can bypass that protection and silently infect systems.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • For one thing, AI currently lacks the creativity, intuition or adaptability needed to deftly handle any emergency that deviates from historical flight data.
    Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 21 July 2025
  • Because the river winds, the streets accessing the docks in Lincoln Yards had to deviate in their headings.
    F.K. Plous, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • The plane crashed about two minutes after its departure and the crash was avoidable, the board said in its report.
    Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 22 July 2025
  • Despite this, her friend booked a flight with a 9:20 pm departure and an 11:50 pm arrival.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • The administration’s attacks on science demand a response from Congress, especially when political appointees try to circumvent the law.
    Matt Motta, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
  • The company designs its own servers internally, circumventing OEMs and collaborating directly with manufacturers to reduce costs, enhance performance, and rapidly incorporate the latest GPUs.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • Then, as the century turned, the boys were pushed aside by rough young men.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
  • But the show has also increasingly thrived on the odd-couple chemistry between co-creator Downs, who plays Hollywood’s gentlest manager, and breakout star Stalter as his assistant turned partner.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Experts say Camp Mystic's requests to amend the FEMA map could have been an attempt to avoid the requirement to carry flood insurance, to lower the camp's insurance premiums or to pave the way for renovating or adding new structures under less costly regulations.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2025
  • While every Italian city is unique in its own ways, there are a couple of ways to avoid being marked as a tourist on your next trip to sample La Dolce Vita.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • When Bacho moves in to make a move, Sakamoto swings a stock pot at Bacho's head, rendering him unconscious.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • But when the opportunity presented itself to purchase the building block, Batchelor swung at the chance.
    Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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