1
as in bypassing
to avoid by going around
we had to detour the construction zone in order to get to the stadium
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deviating
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
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Recent Examples of detouring
Westbound lanes of Interstate 80 were closed Sunday near Colfax, with traffic detouring through Secret Town, following a diesel spill from a semi-tanker.
—
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2026
All eastbound trips near the intersection were detouring as delays were expected, and students at Golden Valley and Bowman high schools were moved to different pick-up points.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Brown apologized for detouring off-topic again.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Both Ball and Norman danced around the question, detouring to talk about everything from the First Amendment, partnerships among local law enforcement agencies, chronic staffing issues, possession of body cameras and protesters' right to record and report after an incident.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
No detouring from the course that has got them to this point.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
For three months, the party scouted out a path across the desert, frequently detouring around impassable canyons and mountains.
—Mike Bezemek, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
In Expedia's report, some popular destinations include detouring from Brescia, Italy, to Milan, and from Santa Barbara, California, to Los Angeles.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 May 2026
All eastbound trips near the intersection were detouring as delays were expected, and students at Golden Valley and Bowman high schools were moved to different pick-up points.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Brown apologized for detouring off-topic again.
—Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Both Ball and Norman danced around the question, detouring to talk about everything from the First Amendment, partnerships among local law enforcement agencies, chronic staffing issues, possession of body cameras and protesters' right to record and report after an incident.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026
No detouring from the course that has got them to this point.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2026
For three months, the party scouted out a path across the desert, frequently detouring around impassable canyons and mountains.
—Mike Bezemek, Outside, 29 Oct. 2025
In Expedia's report, some popular destinations include detouring from Brescia, Italy, to Milan, and from Santa Barbara, California, to Los Angeles.
—Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detouring
Verb
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Educators themselves appear particularly drawn to how the platform reinforces strong instructional practices rather than bypassing them.—
Wyles Daniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2026
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But that also would be a 30-something player with an injury history bypassing the security of hundreds of millions of dollars with an extension that could be signed this coming fall.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The show is deviating from the order of Kennedy's books, which explored the romance between Logan and Grace in the second installment, The Mistake.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
31 May 2026
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Charles Melton sweetly dedicated an award to his wife and newborn daughter, deviating from his famously private nature.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The partnership resulted in the implementation of energy efficiency measures across the HVAC and lighting systems that are projected to reduce carbon emissions by an amount equivalent to avoiding the import of approximately 7,200 barrels of oil.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
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While the Hartford Board of Education must decide in June whether to seek oversight, Arulampalam said the funding is critical to avoiding more layoffs.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The show follows Charles, Oliver and Mabel, three eccentric neighbors, who find purpose and chaos in solving murders that hit close to home through their true-crime podcast, turning their New York apartment building into a playground of mystery and mischief.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 June 2026
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After 26 years of helping Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents through financial and housing difficulties, Crisis Assistance Ministry CEO Carol Hardison is turning a new page.—
Laura Horne,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Some attorneys and advocates say that Florida’s family courts are essentially stripping parents of their rights to their children without any oversight, circumventing state law.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
4 June 2026
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Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg, who has cooperated with an NBA investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers possibly circumventing the salary cap via a no-show endorsement deal with Kawhi Leonard, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Monday.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Consequently, the idea that institutions could potentially be veering away from meritocratic ideals can be very threatening.—
Adia Harvey Wingfield,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Starting from the mountains of Mendocino County, the Russian River flows south toward Healdsburg and Windsor before veering west, through Sonoma County to the Pacific Ocean.—
Chelsee Lowe,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detouring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detouring. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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