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

In an 2008 interview with The Times, Mitte and his family detailed how his acting career developed in a roundabout way. — Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Given that each Nvidia GB300 NVL72 enterprise rack contains 72 Blackwell chips and retails at roughly $3 million a pop, depending on configuration, that means Le Chonk cost roundabout $160 million in hardware—nevermind the electricity bill. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Noun

The turning-lane design — as well as a new roundabout just down the road at Boise Avenue — could reduce crashes by 31%, according to the appeal. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for roundabout

Recent Examples of Synonyms for roundabout

Adjective

One was secured by liquid assets and by equity in entities that own real estate, with indirect reliance on the value of the team.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
My testing resulted in a similarly indirect answer when asking about the 2024 presidential election, with Google’s AI telling me to just consult the FEC for that information.

— Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of indirect

Noun

Ford has been behind some big projects for the city, including the completion of Colfax BRT, and the new pedestrian and bike underpass for the High Line Canal Trail.

— Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
The first jerseys of the local soccer team featured a light-bulb emblem, and graffiti light bulbs are still spray-painted on the city’s underpass walls.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of underpass

Adjective

Then carefully brûlée using a kitchen blowtorch, moving in a circular pattern, until the sugar is melted and a deep amber color.

— Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026
Robots, Barbie dolls, Supermans, T-rexes and princesses began to form in a circular line around the perimeter of the gym.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of circular

Noun

This includes small angled drills that will fit in spaces no ordinary drill can reach as well as massively powerful SDS rotary hammers and demolition drills.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of rotary

Adjective

Highway 12 provides for a direct — though slightly more winding and arguably more scenic — drive into the northern and eastern portions of the North Bay.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of winding

Noun

The arch would be built in the middle of a traffic circle tucked inside Washington's boundaries near Arlington National Cemetery.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of traffic circle

Noun

Paglen’s commission will appear in a pedestrian overpass and a new parking garage at the Southeast stop of the Metro-North train system.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Video shows the single-engine plane careening into an overpass arching atop the expressway.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of overpass

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 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of roundabout

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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