ROUNDABOUT Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

roundabout 1 of 2

adjective

ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t

Definition of roundabout

as in indirect

not straightforward or direct took a roundabout route to the beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

roundabout

2 of 2

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 roundabout

Adjective

Asking Murray to tame his desire is, in a roundabout way, asking him to strip away some of the traits that helped forge his stardom. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 There’s a roundabout quality to Joie de Vivre that works best in first half, which is much stronger than the second. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Noun

Even among the worldliest of us, an unexpected roundabout can trigger a fireworks-and-bald-eagles display of patriotic rage. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026 It is slated to be built in Memorial Circle, a roundabout near the main entrance to the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for roundabout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roundabout

Adjective

The meeting came as indirect talks between Washington and Tehran have yet to yield meaningful progress.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
The war in Yemen, which began in March 2015, had killed 377,000 people by the end of 2021, including those killed by direct and indirect causes, according to the United Nations.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of indirect

Noun

This is what the underpass looked like when Joshua Service was done cleaning it.

— Lisa Rozner, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Turn 5 comes just before the underpass, a heavy braking zone that’s been identified as a possible overtaking spot, and Turn 6 is underneath the highway, marking the start of Subida de las Cárcavas.

— Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of underpass

Adjective

On a circular track, place a group of runners, all of whom run at unique, constant speeds.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
The secret to this quiet performance is a bottom-up airflow design that draws cool ambient air through an intake ring at the edge of the circular base and then up through the heat-generating hardware.

— Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of circular

Noun

The property also retains several period details, including a hanging globe light and a red rotary telephone mounted on a kitchen wall.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Winooski Wednesdays, a monthly community event on the downtown rotary, brings live music, kids’ activities, and local food vendors to the heart of the city.

— Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2026

Definition of rotary

Adjective

Every floor and room is dedicated to specific watch brands and timepieces, featuring bespoke details like watch-hand door handles and winding-crown faucet handles, all crafted by Florentine artisans.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
As such, the show takes you on a winding journey of France’s influential craftsmanship and its impact on America via archival looks, dazzling objects, and more modern creations.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 29 May 2026

Definition of winding

Noun

Storing explosive ammunition and stationing snipers in the middle of a busy traffic circle close to other, more secure military locations, including the Pentagon, strikes many observers as simultaneously dangerous and ridiculous.

— Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Sep. 2026
The traffic circle at Eagle and Amity roads in South Meridian was previously the county’s lone full dual-lane roundabout — meaning with two lanes going the full way around.

— Rose Evans August 16, Idaho Statesman, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of traffic circle

Noun

The three roads are 16th Street between A and Q streets; J Street between 13th and 19th streets; and Truxel Road from Arena Boulevard to the Interstate 80 overpass.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Vehicles drive on the 405 freeway (overpass) past a US flag displayed outside of the Marathon Petroleum Corp.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of overpass

Noun

Banks may recoup some of the cost by charging merchants their own digital-euro transaction fee, although critics argue this is effectively re-creating the interchange model the digital euro was meant to disrupt.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
At least one billboard was at the Highway 50-Interstate 80 interchange in West Sacramento a few miles from the largest year-over-year increase.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of interchange

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“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roundabout. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of roundabout

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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