Synonyms of orbit

orbit 1 of 2

verb

as in to circle

to travel completely around

the moon orbits the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• circle
• traverse
• circuit
• encircle
• ring
• round
• cross
• compass
• circumnavigate
• circumvent
• girdle
• circumambulate
• perambulate

orbit

2 of 2

noun

as in loop

Related Words

• loop
• circle
• circuit
• trajectory
• path
• route
• course
• pathway
• track
• steps
• arc
• way
• routeway
• line
• flight path
• ascent
• descent

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun orbit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of orbit are compass, gamut, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When might compass be a better fit than orbit?

In some situations, the words compass and orbit are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Where would gamut be a reasonable alternative to orbit?

The words gamut and orbit can be used in similar contexts, but gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When can range be used instead of orbit?

The words range and orbit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

In what contexts can scope take the place of orbit?

Although the words scope and orbit have much in common, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When would sweep be a good substitute for orbit?

The meanings of sweep and orbit largely overlap; however, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of orbit

Verb

Raskin pointed to Trump's past friendship with Epstein, including photos and videos of the two together, and suggested the reversal may be tied to others in Trump's orbit appearing in the documents. —Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025

With these observations together, the team determined that the chemical signals were coming from a small region of the disc, surrounding the star equivalent to the orbit of the asteroid belt around our sun. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2025

Noun

Psyche is a nickel-iron core asteroid that orbits the sun beyond Mars anywhere from 235 million to 309 million miles away. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 July 2025

Gravitational waves are the only way scientists can observe a collision in a binary system in which two black holes orbit each other. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 16 July 2025