1
as in roundabout
not straightforward or direct
we took a circuitous route to the airport so as to avoid the massive traffic jam on the highway
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2
as in rambling
using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea
a circuitous explanation for what seems like a fairly basic concept
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circuitous
It’s been a circuitous route, but every step was taken to get me into a job like this.
—
Beren Cross, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Given its circuitous journey, the dress required a little rejuvenation.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
As the country has carved a circuitous path toward justice and commemoration, ESMA has emerged as a central symbol of that historical reckoning.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
The other issue—which in a circuitous manner helped establish the Durston mythos—was product availability, or, more accurately, a lack thereof.
—M. John Fayhee, Outside Online, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circuitous 
Beren Cross, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Given its circuitous journey, the dress required a little rejuvenation.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
As the country has carved a circuitous path toward justice and commemoration, ESMA has emerged as a central symbol of that historical reckoning.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
The other issue—which in a circuitous manner helped establish the Durston mythos—was product availability, or, more accurately, a lack thereof.
—M. John Fayhee, Outside Online, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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Luke Vetter took a roundabout way to celebrate his birthday for Lincoln-Way East.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2025
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Kaitlin Nowak has since responded to the news in a roundabout way.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, Patsy Ramsey called 911 to report her 6-year-old daughter JonBenét missing, and found a rambling ransom note left inside their Boulder, Colorado, home.—
Erin Moriarty,
CBS News,
20 Dec. 2024
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His statement came a day after the release of the Netflix series, which takes viewers back to the morning after Christmas 28 years ago, when JonBenét’s mother called 911 to report finding a rambling ransom note and her daughter missing.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC News,
3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In November, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership estimated the storm’s direct and indirect economic effects across the southwest Virginia region cost more than $2 billion.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
27 Jan. 2025
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The company says the program supports more than 43,000 direct and indirect jobs and $8.9 billion in annual economic impact in Texas.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Words, including those of artists themselves—as prolix in their way as critics, curators, and historians—can serve vision but can also deflect from it.—
Barry Schwabsky,
ARTnews.com,
3 Sep. 2019
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In 1949, a young American artist named Ray Johnson left Black Mountain College near Asheville, N.C., moved to New York City and began to explore his prolix talents, both visual and verbal.—
Roberta Smith,
New York Times,
30 May 2024
Adjective
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Legendary Glow Colour Balm in a circular placement on the apples of the cheeks for a doll-like look.—
Claire Sullivan,
WWD,
23 Jan. 2025
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The lounge is done with a circular bronze and quartzite bar top and blue leather stools.—
John Mariani,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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