1
as in circling
to travel completely around
the first ship to circumnavigate the globe
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in bypassing
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 circumnavigating
The countdown clock is officially rolling at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where four astronauts are preparing to take off on the mission of a lifetime — circumnavigating the moon and returning humans to deep space for the first time in five decades as part of Artemis II.
—
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Superpressure balloons can last for months and travel long distances, potentially circumnavigating the globe, all the while reporting their position.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2026
Two hundred seventy-two miles of scenery are signposted by pretty blue and orange ribbons circumnavigating the island, representing the ocean and those ubiquitous mandarins.
—Gary Shteyngart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Nov. 2023
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Superpressure balloons can last for months and travel long distances, potentially circumnavigating the globe, all the while reporting their position.
—IEEE Spectrum, 31 Jan. 2026
Two hundred seventy-two miles of scenery are signposted by pretty blue and orange ribbons circumnavigating the island, representing the ocean and those ubiquitous mandarins.
—Gary Shteyngart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Nov. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumnavigating
Verb
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He’s being eyed for the lead after Ryan Gosling, who had been circling the role, exited the project due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
20 May 2026
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If creditors are circling and survivor benefits represent a significant portion of your income, knowing your rights and exploring your debt relief options can make a meaningful difference.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The new route, which opened on May 14, according to the Sharjah Customs Authority, will see trucks ferry goods between the Sharjah port and the port of Sohar in Oman, bypassing the strait.—
May 19,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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With only a simple majority vote required in each chamber of Congress, bypassing committee review and without the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster, management plans that involved extensive public participation are being thrown out.—
Scott Braden,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Verb
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By traversing sonic ground across its 10 tracks that transports listeners from the open expanses of Montana to the Mississippi Hill Country, Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen effectively weave a tapestry that knits together a throughline between foundational Americana genres.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
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The 49ers’ travel miles for the 2026 regular season amount to 38,105 air miles, the most ever according to sports betting analyst Bill Speros, as well as traversing 58 time zones, breaking the previous record of 42.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Digital media give more prominence to the role of scientists and PR professionals who can directly appeal to the public, circumventing the gatekeeping function that science journalists performed.—
Prodromos Yannas,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
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The arrangement could be considered circumventing the NBA salary cap, a serious violation of league rules.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the probe reaches the asteroid by August 2029, the spacecraft will begin orbiting its namesake while snapping photographs and mapping the surface.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
20 May 2026
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The space station was orbiting 269 miles (433 kilometers) above Earth, specifically above South America's Patagonia region, when this photograph was taken.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
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The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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That would be a mistake worth avoiding, though.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Bad weather postponed a major construction project on Atlanta's primary highway encircling the city last weekend, but now the traffic chaos is here.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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By using drones to interdict supply lines from a distance, Ukrainian forces can impose the effects of a siege without physically encircling a city, redefining how an opponent can be isolated in modern warfare.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Drones crossing borders raise tensions In recent months, Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia have crossed or come down in NATO territory on numerous occasions.—
Liudas Dapkus,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
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After holding the fire back early Tuesday, the blaze picked up again in the afternoon, increasing in size by more than 300 acres and crossing Albertson Fire Road to the south before firefighters got a handle on it again.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumnavigating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumnavigating. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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