Synonyms of orbit

orbit 1 of 2

noun

as in loop

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loop
• circle
• circuit
• trajectory
• path
• route
• course
• pathway
• track
• steps
• arc
• way
• routeway
• line
• flight path
• ascent
• descent

orbit

2 of 2

verb

as in to circle

to travel completely around

the moon orbits the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• circle
• traverse
• circuit
• encircle
• ring
• round
• cross
• compass
• circumnavigate
• circumvent
• girdle
• circumambulate
• perambulate

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun orbit differ from other similar words?

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

When might compass be a better fit than orbit?

In some situations, the words compass and orbit are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Where would gamut be a reasonable alternative to orbit?

The words gamut and orbit can be used in similar contexts, but gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When can range be used instead of orbit?

The words range and orbit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

In what contexts can scope take the place of orbit?

Although the words scope and orbit have much in common, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When would sweep be a good substitute for orbit?

The meanings of sweep and orbit largely overlap; however, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of orbit

Noun

The spacecraft separated into four pieces, two of which remained in Earth's low orbit and decayed within 48 hours, and the other two pieces went into a higher orbit. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 May 2025

This process would shrink its orbit, resulting in QPEs happening increasingly faster, until the star is either ripped apart by the black hole's gravitational tidal forces, or otherwise merges with it. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 9 May 2025

Verb

More than 2,300 rocket bodies orbiting the Earth can't be controlled and will eventually reenter the atmosphere, according to Nature.com. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025

Pettit is widely admired as an accomplished photographer, spending much of his spare time aboard the International Space Station photographing astronomical phenomena, auroral displays and life aboard the orbiting lab complex. —William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025