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compass

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verb

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as in to circle
to travel completely around the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compass are gamut, orbit, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When is gamut a more appropriate choice than compass?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When is it sensible to use orbit instead of compass?

In some situations, the words orbit and compass are roughly equivalent. However, orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

Where would range be a reasonable alternative to compass?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

When could scope be used to replace compass?

The words scope and compass can be used in similar contexts, but scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

In what contexts can sweep take the place of compass?

Although the words sweep and compass have much in common, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

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 compass
Noun
Its fuselage and wings were made of stiff Irish linen over a framework of wood spars and steel tubing, and its navigational instruments, by modern standards, were rudimentary: two compasses, an air-speed indicator, and an aneroid barometer. David Rooney june 5, Literary Hub, 5 June 2025 And in an era of emerging tech, economic uncertainty and geopolitical shifts, clients are looking for their lawyers to be both compass and counsel, providing direction and expertise. Liane Jackson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul. Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Abigail Jackson The adjacent dining area is dedicated to family heirlooms like a set of Allan Gould compass chairs from Kate’s interior designer grandmother and a red vintage rug from her great-grandparents. Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for compass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compass
Noun
  • They’re then added into the mascarpone mixture one spoonful at a time, while stirring gently in the same direction to achieve a consistent light and airy texture.
    Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2025
  • There are a huge number of signals from every direction that a player has to process first, even without the risk of being tackled.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Water tank project removed A plan for a replacement water storage tank in La Jolla that has changed in scope several times over the past decade has changed again — so much so that it was removed from the city budget as a capital project.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
  • Three federal judges issued nationwide injunctions blocking the order from taking effect, prompting the Trump administration to file an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court to narrow the scope of the orders.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Jacket; Although warmer and dryer conditions are anticipated the fire is expected to remain in its current perimeter.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2025
  • No Wires, No Noise, No Worries—Just Smarter Lawn Care Unlike most models on the market, which require burying a perimeter boundary wire, this model does not.
    Sixteen Ramos, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The mother duck had been circling in the sky during the rescue efforts which Rodman estimated took about 45 minutes.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 5 July 2025
  • Just the ache of a man circling the aftermath of his own blindness, knowing the damage can’t be undone.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • These tariff rates range between 25% and 50%, with the highest tariff reserved for Brazil, where Trump has objected to the prosecution of the country’s former, right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup.
    Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • At the behest of Cook, the group was beginning to plot a show to save the beloved Shepherd’s Bush concert venue Bush Hall.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • In addition to the deaths in Kerr County, 10 others died due to flooding in surrounding counties, according to officials.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 6 July 2025
  • Its picture windows offer more views of the surrounding countryside while the room itself can be organized for a wide range of activities including children’s games, a home theater, table games, and seating for large or small gatherings.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 7 July 2025
  • Because as our founders knew so well, human nature recoils all too often at the inconveniences and frustrations of self-government.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • For much of the public, the full extent of the destruction does not yet seem to have sunk in, partly because the military censor has prohibited publishing the location of direct hits.
    Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 11 July 2025
  • The extent of the driver’s injuries were not immediately clear.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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