detour 1 of 2

as in deviation
a turning away from a course or standard we'll regard this relapse as just a brief detour on your road to recovery from substance abuse

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detour

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to bypass
to avoid by going around we had to detour the construction zone in order to get to the stadium

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction we had to detour for a few miles around the section of highway under construction

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Examples 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 detour
Noun
Although the Latin taste-bud journey winds through most of the menu, there are detours. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025 Private equity's medical adventure has taken another detour to the ER, with the Senate Budget Committee releasing a bipartisan report that slams the industry's stewardship of hospital chains. Dan Primack, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Motorists will be detoured via Elmore, Colerain and Beekman streets to I-74 west and the Texas turnaround at the Montana Avenue exit to I-74 east. Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024 The transportation department said all lanes of I-80 eastbound were closed and being detoured with motorists advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Lori Comstock, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for detour 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour
Noun
  • What Happens Now The Houthis may resume targeting international vessels if there are any deviations from the ceasefire.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio.
    Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That Neighborhood spinoff, which received a series order in May, will bypass CBS and bow on Paramount+.
    Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 25 Jan. 2025
  • These prestigious awards, which celebrate the best of the best, have consistently bypassed the men in the trenches, with even a single vote for an offensive lineman being a rare occurrence.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The biggest event, the Oscars broadcast itself, has shown no indication of budging from its March 2 air date or deviating from standard operating procedure.
    Chris Lee, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Trump’s decision to deviate from that formula and provide reprieve for even the most violent Jan. 6 protesters has put congressional Republicans in an uncomfortable spot.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • At the stroke of pen, both presidents’ acts of clemency marked a stark departure from the status quo, stretching the already vast limits of the pardon power and raising alarm among critics and allies alike.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • That’s a departure from contagious yawning in humans, which does seem to be affected by social closeness.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Thankfully, one way to circumvent this challenge is to try freelancing.
    Rachel Wells, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Attempts to circumvent the law will not be tolerated, California Atty.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the playoffs, though, Mahomes turned into Superman.
    Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • At the very beginning of the app’s popularity in 2020, this discovery capability turned regular posters into household names and industry staples.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Also, avoid flying on Sundays and Mondays, which tend to be the most expensive due to weekend trips and business travelers, according to 2024 data from flight app Hopper.
    Amelia Edelman, NPR, 25 Jan. 2025
  • And no one still with this organization will avoid the sting of Rantanen’s being traded.
    Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, after reading the groom-to-be's explanation on Reddit, many users have swung behind him in support.
    Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
  • These aspects come with a price, too, as average tags swing from 850 euros for a shirt and around 1,300 euros for knitwear up to 4,200 euros for a double cashmere coat.
    Sandra Salibian, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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