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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
That question, first posed to me by a teacher, has served as a compass throughout my career. Rabbi David Steinhardt, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025 An outdoor first-aid kit may include additional items such as a whistle, fire starter, compass and insect bite/sting medication. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 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
  • Emerging from the London Underground, Turnpike Lane has a bustling shopping area in either direction: cafés, supermarkets and takeaways with plenty of people mulling about.
    Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • This after Windows 11 dipped and Windows 10 recovered in May, widening the gap between new and old in the wrong direction.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Only after the June 24-25 summit meeting in The Hague – where North Atlantic Treaty Organization members will pledge to spend 5% of GDP on defense – will the US present its military review, which will spell out the scope of what are likely significant reductions in Europe.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 23 June 2025
  • Unless policy reflects the full scope of physical and financial risk, not just short-term political cycles, systems that look solid on paper may collapse under pressure.
    Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The Thunder will take the fouls, whether from him, from fellow perimeter pests Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace, or from rim protectors Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren.
    Fred Katz, New York Times, 16 June 2025
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • Two people, circling each other, face-to-face, trying to—through that close looking—gauge each other’s interest in limits and limitations, in line-crossing.
    Hanif Abdurraqib June 12, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025
  • Share your favorite joke, show him a funny video on your phone, or introduce him to the latest meme circling the internet.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The State of Connecticut on Wednesday dropped criminal contempt charges against Michelle Troconis, who’s already serving more than 14 years for helping plot the murder of her then-boyfriend’s estranged wife, Jennifer Farber Dulos.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
  • Sitting around the long table in the Cabinet Room, Netanyahu reminded Trump that Iran had plotted to assassinate him, according to one of the officials who attended the meeting.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • More than a hundred law enforcement officers surrounded them on the block.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
  • Snowfall: None James Mayo / Chicago Tribune 1 of 10 A crowd surrounds a burning squad car during unrest in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago on June 12, 1966. 1966: In Humboldt Park, white Chicago police Officer Thomas Munyon shot Arcelis Cruz, a young Puerto Rican man, in the leg.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • As someone who lost their father before doing Top Chef and knowing the fire that can ignite someone going into this competition is unattainable.
    Buddha Lo, People.com, 13 June 2025
  • Newsom said in a court filing on Thursday that troops had moved beyond those allowable duties to actively assist ICE agents in making arrests, in violation of a federal law known as the Posse Comitatus Act, which is designed to prevent the military from being used as a domestic police force.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • That extent is probably not a $7 million contract, which is what both AFP Analytics and Evolving Hockey project on a long-term deal.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 18 June 2025
  • Protecting the safety of our communities and upholding the integrity of lawful demonstrations are priorities, and those who cross the line into violence will be prosecuted swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.

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