1
as in to traverse
to travel completely around
the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to bypass
to avoid by going around
we can circumnavigate the traffic jam if we take the next exit
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circumnavigate
The underpinnings of a global order can be traced to the age of discovery, when Europeans first learned to circumnavigate the globe, then established a presence at vast distances, and followed that with empires.
—
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Spoelstra charted out a map for Herro to circumnavigate by running into antithetical gaps on a possession-by-possession basis, creating inconsistencies that got Cleveland’s fatigued defense out of rhythm.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The Drake Passage also gained attention online thanks to the Royal Caribbean 9-Month World Cruise, which circumnavigated the globe from December 2023 to September 2024.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
More recently, Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia’s coastline for more than three weeks and holding wargames near New Zealand, two unprecedented developments that have rattled the U.S. allies.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate
Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
Spoelstra charted out a map for Herro to circumnavigate by running into antithetical gaps on a possession-by-possession basis, creating inconsistencies that got Cleveland’s fatigued defense out of rhythm.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
The Drake Passage also gained attention online thanks to the Royal Caribbean 9-Month World Cruise, which circumnavigated the globe from December 2023 to September 2024.
—Bailey Richards, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
More recently, Chinese warships have been circumnavigating Australia’s coastline for more than three weeks and holding wargames near New Zealand, two unprecedented developments that have rattled the U.S. allies.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 8 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumnavigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumnavigate
Verb
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In the sneak peek clip, an array of ocean animals traverse great distances in search of food, including travelling to seamounts — underwater mountains up to three miles high.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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But, given the unlimited wonders accessible to the owner of a TARDIS that can traverse all of space and time, the Doctor's ongoing obsession with Earth and its people (particularly the UK) seems slightly incongruous.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The goal was to allow qualified drivers to bypass slowing down for Border Patrol agents who glance into vehicles and might ask questions.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
6 June 2025
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Aphids can give birth to nymphs, bypassing the egg stage.—
Markis Hill,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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Hidden in large container units with retractable roofs, the drones were designed to circumvent Russia’s sophisticated air defenses.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
4 June 2025
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After an April report indicated that MSC’s founding Aponte family had considered separating the Panama ports from the deal altogether, the regulator publicly warned CK Hutchison against a split as a means to circumvent antitrust review.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, Mars Odyssey and MAVEN are two spacecrafts that have been orbiting Mars for years.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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Psyche is a nickel-iron core asteroid that orbits the sun beyond Mars anywhere from 235 million to 309 million miles away.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Verb
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Snow cowered in the back, avoiding eye contact when Kiersten tried reaching her hand out.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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The team’s careful planning and early outreach helped avoid problems in the future, like having to replace important music in post-production – something that simply wasn’t an option here.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Pochettino was asked multiple times about Pulisic’s interview, which added only another layer of drama to the narratives now encircling this team.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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The pendant itself is an image of the Virgin Mary, encircled by a sunburst-like filigree frame.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Essence,
11 June 2025
Verb
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The war has driven about 13 million people from their homes, including over 4 million who crossed into neighboring countries.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
4 June 2025
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Her career crossed a certain threshold of seriousness.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumnavigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumnavigate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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