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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Recent Examples of circuitous
This will be a big theme going forward as the AI wave takes a circuitous path to technology nirvana.
—
R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
As our route to Sedona and back is a circuitous mix of surface streets, highways, and twisty canyon roads, the prospect of traveling the 300 miles without a nap seems unlikely.
—Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024
Warner really was an underdog: he was cut by the Green Bay Packers, and then stocked shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store, before taking a circuitous route back to the N.F.L. Warner pointed to the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025
The Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed more than a century ago and has taken a circuitous route to ratification.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
R. Scott Raynovich, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
As our route to Sedona and back is a circuitous mix of surface streets, highways, and twisty canyon roads, the prospect of traveling the 300 miles without a nap seems unlikely.
—Jaclyn Trop, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024
Warner really was an underdog: he was cut by the Green Bay Packers, and then stocked shelves at a Hy-Vee grocery store, before taking a circuitous route back to the N.F.L. Warner pointed to the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025
The Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed more than a century ago and has taken a circuitous route to ratification.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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In a roundabout way, one of the few things that could potentially stop Mbappe from smashing those individual records is precisely the calibre of player around him.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
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The project, spanning approximately 8.65 acres, is slated to facilitate the roundabout project on Highway 212 in Glencoe.—
Janean Sorrell,
Twin Cities,
6 Feb. 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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They were supposed to begin indirect talks over the second phase last week, including negotiating an end to the war, the release of the remaining living hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.—
Aaron Boxerman,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
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Place the vase in a spot with bright, indirect light.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Feb. 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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Simply apply a few pumps onto dry skin and gently rub your face in circular motions for at least 30 seconds.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 Feb. 2025
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Berlin is among the most active circular economies in El Salvador, with over 150 merchants accepting Bitcoin.—
Javier Bastardo,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to circuitous
Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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