1
as in direction
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
within the compass of my voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
within the compass of the city walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to accomplish
to carry through (as a process) to completion
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to circle
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to surround
to form a circle around
a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas
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5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of compass
Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
This would help determine latitude in the case of a compass.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 2025
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
Noun
When loggerheads are exposed to radiofrequency, or RF, waves — the same type of radiation emitted by devices such as mobile phones and radio transmitters — their magnetic map remains stable, while their compass is disrupted.
—Julianna Bragg, CNN, 12 Feb. 2025
This would help determine latitude in the case of a compass.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 Jan. 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
-
Every shift in direction (and there may be many in the beginning) is an opportunity to make adjustments rather than lament the difficulties.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The cherry-picking, though, goes in the other direction.—
Justice delos Santos,
The Mercury News,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The effort would divert in-house teams from their core functions at a time when their role is expanding in scope, complexity, and significance.—
Mark A. Cohen,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Congress should expand the scope of this program and incentivize SBICs to offer long-term financing to small manufacturers, particularly in underserved areas.—
Dominick Davis,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Bucks don’t have a perimeter stopper who can handle the toughest defensive assignments, meaning Lillard’s weaknesses are being magnified.—
Brian Sampson,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The Eagles continued their three-point efficiency in the third quarter, showing an elite ability to convert through a tight North Crowley perimeter defense.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The marker Christo used to circle the islands on black-and-white images was pink.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Bottom line, the bulls still have the upper hand—uptrend intact, earnings solid—but the bears are circling and getting stronger.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The arrests come about a week after authorities charged an Indiana teen with plotting a Valentine’s Day massacre at their high school.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Bolsonaro, the former far-right leader, is accused of plotting a coup to stay in power, inciting violence and hatching a plan to poison the current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
While not quite radical transparency, the update did loosen the rigid strictures that have surrounded top-tier franchises for the last 20 years.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The devastating flooding in Valencia and its surrounding areas is a prime example.—
Valeria Kogan,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Who knew the hardest thing about an awards show acceptance speech could be holding the trophy?—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Jesus Guerrero—the celebrity hairstylist known for his work with Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Jenner, Jessica Alba, Selena Gomez, Kali Uchis, Charli XCX, Rosalía and more—has died, according to his family.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But there is definitely an argument that playing that way weaponises Chelsea’s attackers to the fullest extent.—
Emile Nuh,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
-
While a full repeal is unlikely, Congress could codify clearer standards for which decisions are subject to environmental reviews, establish uniform procedures, and define the extent of judicial review, including placing limits on judicial injunctions.—
James Broughel,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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