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
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
Randall Colburn, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
The states had argued that former President Joe Biden, with SAVE, was essentially trying to find a roundabout way to forgive student debt after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping debt cancellation plan in June 2023.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Christine Clarridge, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
City officials plan more roundabouts, countdown timers, widened crosswalks and more to try to reduce fatalities.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
Fans got justice for Tanya — but in a roundabout way.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
The states had argued that former President Joe Biden, with SAVE, was essentially trying to find a roundabout way to forgive student debt after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping debt cancellation plan in June 2023.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
The recent decline may be linked, in part, to traffic calming measures, including lower speed limits, narrower roads, roundabouts, and no-right-on-red intersections, per the Vision Zero report.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
City officials plan more roundabouts, countdown timers, widened crosswalks and more to try to reduce fatalities.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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