DETOUR Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

detour 1 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌtu̇r

Definition of detour

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherence

detour

2 of 2

verb

as in to bypass

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Directed by Craig Gillespie (I, Tonya) and written by Ana Nogueira, the film is a fun detour that gives a backstory to Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El. — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 Another challenge neighbors are bracing for is longer wait times for Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses with the detours and expected traffic. — Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Verb

During the closure, motorists will be detoured from Richards Boulevard to westbound I-80, then routed to Old Davis Road to return to eastbound I-80, Caltrans said. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2026 Drivers now have to detour at Mclaughlin Drive to reach the airport. — Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for detour

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour

Noun

In this model, the deterministic layer executes those rules without deviation.

— Binny Gill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
For all the culture-war debates about the liberties Nolan took in his casting, his most radical deviation from the text has to do with agency and who has it.

— Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of deviation

Verb

That waterway has taken on new significance since the start of the war, as Saudi Arabia now diverts millions of barrels of crude there to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
An industry-wide standard Microsoft invented to protect Windows, and later Linux, devices from firmware infections has been trivial to bypass for 13 of its 14 years of existence.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

Definition of bypass

Verb

Subaru redesigns its midsize SUV without deviating from winning formula.

— Charles Singh, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Her full-length works often feature people, especially women, holding their ground and deviating from societal expectations, which creates dissonance between their internal and external worlds.

— Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

Definition of deviate

Noun

One employee took responsibility for not catching the boys’ early and unapproved departure.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
And that made his recent comments about former Blue Jays coach Don Mattingly especially noteworthy, as his departure for the Philadelphia Phillies has raised questions about whether the Blue Jays batting order can succeed without him.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of departure

Verb

Kawhi Leonard’s trade to the Toronto Raptors is on hold pending the outcome of the NBA’s investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules, the teams announced Thursday.

— Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
The lawsuit also references several actions taken by board members that Obeng characterized as circumventing his authority.

— Ilana Arougheti July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms beat six opponents in the May Democratic primary for governor, winning 56% of the vote and avoiding a runoff.

— Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is soon marking up healthcare price transparency legislation that could empower patients and employers with the upfront prices needed to avoid overcharges and choose affordable care.

— Vivian Ho, Washington Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

Three tries in a seven-minute span, including two when Australian fullback Tom Wright was on the sidelines for a yellow card, swung momentum fully in favor of the back-to-back Six Nations champions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 July 2026
Chip stocks — once the hottest corner of the market — also swung sharply as investors continued to question whether the AI trade had become overextended.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 11 July 2026

Definition of swing

Browse Nearby Words

detonations

detour

detoured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of detour

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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