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

Within this region are two major neural pathways, known as the direct and indirect pathways, which appear to exert opposing influences over which actions are expressed.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
Fabbrica, officials said, is an indirect subsidiary of a global construction company headquartered in Italy.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 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

One children’s style also uses lenses containing at least 60 percent bio-circular content, according to the company.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
Inside, plastic gives way to brushed aluminum and Alcantara upholstery – a synthetic suede-like fabric– and the classic circular dials are reborn as digital displays set into a horizontal aluminum strip.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 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

Vehicles drive on the 405 freeway (overpass) past a US flag displayed outside of the Marathon Petroleum Corp.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
For now, the vision involves replacing the aging Indian Creek bridge, rebuilding intersections on either end, and constructing an overpass to carry cars over the Union Pacific tracks on the south bank of the stream.

— Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of overpass

Noun

Heavy landscaping with trees and planting beds are also seen in renderings adjacent to the interchange.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
Drivers can head west on University Avenue, turn south on Grand Prairie Parkway and rejoin westbound I-80 at the Grand Prairie Parkway interchange.

— Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of interchange

Browse Nearby Words

round

roundabout

roundabouts

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Style

“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roundabout. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of roundabout

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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