round·about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness
noun
1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British
: merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4
Synonyms
Examples of roundabout in a Sentence
Adjective
He took a roundabout route to town.
In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Annie Nova, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024
Given Advance Colorado’s conservative background, Democrats have accused the group of running the ballot measure as a roundabout way of reducing government spending on existing programs.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024
Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Oct. 2024
Cincinnati Enquirer The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists that all lanes are blocked at the KY 8/KY 9 roundabout in Campbell County, due to an overturned commercial vehicle.
—The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for roundabout 
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.
Adjective
Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Missouri, who led the legal challenges against SAVE, argue that President Joe Biden is essentially trying to find a roundabout way to forgive student debt after the Supreme Court blocked its sweeping debt cancellation plan in June 2023.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024
Given Advance Colorado’s conservative background, Democrats have accused the group of running the ballot measure as a roundabout way of reducing government spending on existing programs.
—Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024
Noun
Jeremy Cashman, Carmel's chief infrastructure officer, said his department measured the speeds of vehicles entering and exiting roundabouts throughout the city.
—Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Oct. 2024
Cincinnati Enquirer The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists that all lanes are blocked at the KY 8/KY 9 roundabout in Campbell County, due to an overturned commercial vehicle.
—The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for roundabout
Dictionary Entries Near roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share