Synonyms of detours

detours 1 of 2

noun

plural of detour

as in deviations

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

• deviations
• departures
• deflections
• diversions
• divergences
• divergencies
• divagations
• regressions
• reversions
• retrogressions

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adherences

detours

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of detour

1

as in bypasses

to avoid by going around

we had to detour the construction zone in order to get to the stadium

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bypasses
• avoids
• circumvents
• escapes
• circumnavigates
• skirts
• evades
• eludes
• shakes
• shuns
• eschews
• dodges
• flees
• leapfrogs
• ducks

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• faces
• meets
• confronts
• seeks
• pursues
• accepts
• embraces
• welcomes
• courts

2

as in deviates

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

• deviates
• turns
• swings
• veers
• swerves
• diverges
• wheels
• turns off
• zigzags
• tacks
• sheers
• turns back
• doubles (back)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of detours

Noun

Come for the deep dive into mankind’s favorite building material, stay for his detours into everything from Hallmark screenwriting tropes to the lost Yuletide recordings of the late DMX. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

There’s never going to be optimal city management of road closures and detours to everyone’s liking, no matter how many public hearings of driver angst and outcry take place. — Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Lovelace and Southern have compellingly stitched together interviews, performance clips, audience reactions, and a few detours into the lives of individual fans. — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Cue a cross-generational odd-couple road trip, with rather more sightseeing detours than Parini had planned for. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026

Since then, the construction has remained a daily challenge for students returning for the fall semester, many of whom are adjusting their routines to account for detours, closed walkways and heavier traffic. — Usa Today, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

In writing about her efforts to build the defense case, Wright Stevens takes frequent detours to paint a fuller picture of life in Utqiagvik. — Mackenzie Farkus, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026

Milwaukee commuters should expect some detours and delays this weekend. — Blaise Mesa, jsonline.com, 27 Aug. 2026

The university has a map on its website that shows the construction projects and the detours students and staff may have to take. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

The bridge closure, which went into effect this week and is expected to last 14 months, detours six different bus routes in the area, relying on the adjacent Walnut and Chestnut Street passes while the Market Street Bridge is closed. — Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

But Mitchell’s film also increasingly detours from the Spielberg playbook. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Sanguinetti’s tender film detours through the motions of time and eventually brings fleshiness to her presence. — Manahil Tahira, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

The trail undulates a bit over rocky rises and occasionally detours into the woods, but experienced hikers shouldn't have any problems. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 7 June 2026