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

And that, in a roundabout way, was the point. — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 17 June 2026 Without revealing too much, this structure from al-Mansour and co-writer Brad Niemann ends up having a roundabout reason too, given a bizarre third-act twist that renders moot the film’s entire point of view, along with its central themes. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 June 2026

Noun

Following a behind-schedule and over-budget redevelopment by Transport for London, the roundabout was replaced last year with a byzantine road and cycle lane layout which, peppered with traffic lights, causes constant congestion in the area. — Ian King, CNBC, 10 June 2026 That's because the 250-foot structure would be built on a roundabout near the main entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place for over 400,000 active-duty service members, veterans and their families. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for roundabout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roundabout

Adjective

Measures, such as the awarding of an indirect free-kick if a player deliberately heads the ball, were introduced in order to discourage children from heading.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 26 July 2026
The return is indirect and the case is harder to make, but skimping here is what causes horizon-one wins to plateau and horizon-three ambitions to collapse.

— Farooque Munshi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of indirect

Noun

The right lane approaching the underpass is also clearly marked as a right-hand-turn only lane.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
That includes $10 million for the underpass and about $2 million for a traffic signal at Avimor Drive and several collector roads built during the project’s early phases.

— Noah Daly July 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026

Definition of underpass

Adjective

This is a place to order something sparkly—maybe the Broadway 75, a pale pink French 75 riff—to sip at the circular bar, or ensconced in the velvet banquette seats.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
There’s a spa with a circular soaking pool, a cold plunge, a sauna and an outdoor bathhouse set into the Gorge.

— Winston Ross, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of circular

Noun

The buttons, switches and rotary controls also have a satisfying action, avoiding the flimsy feel that can undermine an otherwise attractive economy-car interior.

— Karl Brauer, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Chouinard says low-precipitation rotary nozzles, such as MP Rotators, are the clear winners.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Definition of rotary

Adjective

But what once looked like a potential breakout career in San Francisco has instead become a winding journey through multiple organizations, with the latest chapter ending after a short stay in the Dodgers' system.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 14 June 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

When the four friends reached a traffic circle, O'Brien rammed their car with his truck, forcing it to crash into a telephone pole, according to the affidavit.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Trump wants to build the arch on a traffic circle on the Virginia side of the Memorial Bridge from the District of Columbia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of traffic circle

Noun

The rail, which lined a four-lane road near an overpass, was an egregious assembly of one of Sicking’s older designs.

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
The Kansas Department of Transportation is responsible for work on the overpass and the Kansas Turnpike Authority is responsible for the ramps, according to the government.

— Sofi Zeman July 14, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of overpass

Noun

Developers of The District at Ten Mile, a 220-acre commercial project near the Ten Mile Road and I-84 interchange in Meridian, have announced more than a dozen new businesses coming to the site.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2026
Merchants have to pay interchange fees to the bank that issued the card as well as payments to the credit card network and the company processing the transaction.

— Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of interchange

Browse Nearby Words

round

roundabout

roundabouts

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/roundabout. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of roundabout

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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