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
1
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of detour
Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
TEXRail has shifted its schedule to operate hourly and several of the bus routes are operating on winter weather detours.
—Star-Telegram Staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
While closures are a reoccurring feature of life in Big Sur — routinely forcing begrudging drivers to detour inland on Highway 101 or even the 5 Freeway — this was the longest stretch of time in recent history that travel along Highway 1 had remained truncated in some way.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detour
Noun
That is not a detour from the work but rather essential to trust building.
—Tom W. Johnson, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
TEXRail has shifted its schedule to operate hourly and several of the bus routes are operating on winter weather detours.
—Star-Telegram Staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Verb
All lanes of Akard Street were closed and detoured at I-30 on Tuesday, January 13.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Jan. 2026
While closures are a reoccurring feature of life in Big Sur — routinely forcing begrudging drivers to detour inland on Highway 101 or even the 5 Freeway — this was the longest stretch of time in recent history that travel along Highway 1 had remained truncated in some way.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for detour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour
Noun
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Any statistical deviations from the predictions of the Standard Model could signify the involvement of unknown elementary particles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
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This improves inspection consistency and enables early identification of deviations without interrupting ongoing operations.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The opposition dominates for spells but struggles to bypass his strong defence.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Attackers can intentionally inject misleading or manipulative prompts to bypass security protocols or generate incorrect responses.—
Connie Etemadi,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Our minds are incredibly skilled at filling in the gaps in our memories with plausible but incorrect details; this leads people to affirm memories that deviate from reality, or even memories of events that never actually occurred.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Like a suspiciously cheap sofa or a $20 bike helmet, shoes that deviate significantly from standard pricing raise eyebrows.—
Maggie Slepian,
Outside,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, the consistent arctic air masses have driven our actual average down to just 15 degrees, a full 10-degree departure from the norm.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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Also on Saturday, airlines cancelled 35 departures (83%) from Northwest Arkansas National Airport and 34 arrivals (89%).—
Anne Li,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The drastic decision to consume bleach to try to circumvent a drug test nearly cut Mathieu's life short.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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Traffic on Kimball will be routed along Blaine or Chicago streets to 5th or 10th avenues to circumvent construction.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Michelle Williams turned heads in a sheer black gown that featured a structured bodice with delicate straps and a dramatic black tulle train.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Newsom appears to be trying a more aggressive strategy that his team hopes can work to turn negative stories to his advantage.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Start with the bottom branches to avoid adding more weight to lower limbs.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
31 Jan. 2026
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Reconciliation, by contrast, allowed Republicans to pass fiscal and revenue-related farm provisions with a simple majority, bypassing the filibuster and avoiding a stalemate that could have stretched on for years.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the automatic front doors swing guests into the lobby, an ironwork chandelier, olive-green velour curtains, and a humming fireplace dress the Hotel Chelsea in a confidently maximalist wardrobe.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
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Bend your knees slightly and swing the kettlebell back between your legs.—
RikkiLynn Shields Hannigan,
Health,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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