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
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
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
-
Musk’s tenure was criticized by labor unions, government employees and Democrats for bypassing laws and regulations.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The war has forced organizations to find new ways to transport goods, with some bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal and rerouting vessels around Africa, adding weeks to the delivery.—
SAM MEDNICK,
Arkansas Online,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Accordingly, the warring factions have competed to depict themselves as the true embodiment of MAGA and paint their rivals as undermining Trump or deviating from his precepts.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
It’s suddenly seemed like deviating from the plan in the name of competing for the Stars and Stripes was a real possibility.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Whatever his flaws, the president has been politically astute throughout his tenure, carefully avoiding the trap of letting the perfect be the enemy of good.—
Kelly Sloan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
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Be wary of phishing by avoiding links in unsolicited emails or texts.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Royals’ offense had its early-season frustrations a year ago before turning it on after the All-Star break — albeit too late to make a playoff run.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
9 Apr. 2026
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Others were forced to choose between food, medicine and warmth, with some turning their thermostats down to 60 degrees and bundling up or coming out of retirement to take part-time jobs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump also signed an executive order to pay other workers, circumventing Congress again.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
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Internet users have gotten used to circumventing the restrictions by using virtual private networks, or VPNs, even as the government has been actively blocking those, too.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The pull-on waistband hits around the belly button, and the slightly wide-leg sweatpant shape feels relaxed without veering into bell-bottom territory.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
8 Apr. 2026
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While pig butchering operations are veering toward the sophisticated and professional, horrendous abuses persist.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Detouring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detouring. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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