PAIR OF COMPASSES Synonyms: 498 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'compass' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compass are gamut , orbit , range , scope , and sweep . While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. // your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Q: When is 'gamut' a more appropriate choice than 'compass'?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. // a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'orbit' instead of 'compass'?

In some situations, the words orbit and compass are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: Where would 'range' be a reasonable alternative to 'compass'?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, 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

Q: When could 'scope' be used to replace 'compass'?

The words scope and compass can be used in similar contexts, but scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible. // as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

Q: In what contexts can 'sweep' take the place of 'compass'?

Although the words sweep and compass have much in common, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity. // the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Q: How does the noun 'compass' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compass are gamut , orbit , range , scope , and sweep . While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity. // your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Q: When is 'gamut' a more appropriate choice than 'compass'?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another. // a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'orbit' instead of 'compass'?

In some situations, the words orbit and compass are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: Where would 'range' be a reasonable alternative to 'compass'?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, 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

compass 1 of 4

noun (1)

Definition of compass next

as in direction

a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in scope

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends within the compass of my voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in perimeter

the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something within the compass of the city walls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

compass

2 of 4

verb (1)

ˈkəm-pəs

as in to accomplish

to carry through (as a process) to completion attempting more than his modest abilities could compass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to circle

to travel completely around the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to plot

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to surround

to form a circle around a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to know

to have a clear idea of the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

compasses

3 of 4

noun (2)

plural of compass

as in directions

a guiding or motivating purpose or principle a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in scopes

an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends within the compass of my voice

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in edges

the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something within the compass of the city walls

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

compasses

4 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of compass

as in implements

to carry through (as a process) to completion attempting more than his modest abilities could compass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in circles

to travel completely around the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in plots

to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in surrounds

to form a circle around a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in knows

to have a clear idea of the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compass are gamut, orbit, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When is gamut a more appropriate choice than compass?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When is it sensible to use orbit instead of compass?

In some situations, the words orbit and compass are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would range be a reasonable alternative to compass?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, 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

When could scope be used to replace compass?

The words scope and compass can be used in similar contexts, but scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

In what contexts can sweep take the place of compass?

Although the words sweep and compass have much in common, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

How does the noun compass differ from other similar words?

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When is gamut a more appropriate choice than compass?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When is it sensible to use orbit instead of compass?

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Where would range be a reasonable alternative to compass?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, 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

When could scope be used to replace compass?

The words scope and compass can be used in similar contexts, but scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

In what contexts can sweep take the place of compass?

Although the words sweep and compass have much in common, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of compass

Noun

Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones. —

Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026 Instead, use it as a compass to drive your situational needs for the spaces that mean the most to you. —

Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026

Verb

The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul. —

Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 At its best, McCarthy’s fiction could compass the strange and often violent order of existence. —

Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023

Noun

In ordinary magnetic materials, unpaired electrons behave like tiny compasses and eventually align with one another. —

Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026 Over 1,000 years ago, explorers began using compasses, typically made with a floating cork or piece of wood with a magnetized needle in it, to find their way. —

Scott Brame, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for compass

Browse Nearby Words

compartments

compass

compassed

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 28 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of compass

noun (1)

verb (1)

noun (2)

verb (2)

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on compass

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

besotted

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Was 'nervous Nellie' a Real Person?

Games & Quizzes