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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circuitous
They were given the key by Williams, who, after a circuitous route, admitted to the murders, police said.
—
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
The energy giant also continues to insist Moldova's outstanding debts make supplying the country by other circuitous routes — such as through a Russian-Turkish pipeline that tunnels under the Black Sea — untenable.
—Charles Maynes, NPR, 9 Jan. 2025
It’s been a circuitous route, but every step was taken to get me into a job like this.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Given its circuitous journey, the dress required a little rejuvenation.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circuitous 
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025
The energy giant also continues to insist Moldova's outstanding debts make supplying the country by other circuitous routes — such as through a Russian-Turkish pipeline that tunnels under the Black Sea — untenable.
—Charles Maynes, NPR, 9 Jan. 2025
It’s been a circuitous route, but every step was taken to get me into a job like this.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Given its circuitous journey, the dress required a little rejuvenation.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for circuitous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circuitous
Adjective
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All of which brings us, in a painfully roundabout way, to Joao Felix.—
Jack Lang,
The Athletic,
9 Feb. 2025
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In a roundabout way, Miami’s love of flashy electric cars is paving the way for more affordable EVs to roll out across Florida and around the world.—
Nicolas Rivero,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 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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This only trailed 2023's record-setting number of events by one, and the disasters in 2024 caused at least 568 direct or indirect fatalities, and cost a total of approximately $182.7 billion, per the site.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
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And although Trump’s latest duties do not target the EU directly, officials in the bloc are aware of their indirect consequences.—
Silvia Amaro,
CNBC,
3 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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The dogs indicated that drugs were present in the pallets, and police found one of pavers, which was shaped like a hexagon, contained a circular container hidden inside that contained 800 grams of methamphetamine.—
Julia Gomez,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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The circular line is complemented by Cos’ regular spring denim line ranging from oversized shirt dresses and wet effect denim skirts to organic cotton wide-leg jeans and button-down shirts.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Circuitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circuitous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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