1
as in direction
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in scope
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
within the compass of my voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in perimeter
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
within the compass of the city walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to accomplish
to carry through (as a process) to completion
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to circle
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to surround
to form a circle around
a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to know
to have a clear idea of
the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compass
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2025
In the woods: Why race for 30 hours through the wilderness with no course and nothing but a compass?
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Abigail Jackson The adjacent dining area is dedicated to family heirlooms like a set of Allan Gould compass chairs from Kate’s interior designer grandmother and a red vintage rug from her great-grandparents.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for compass
Noun
To locate a compass and single-mindedly pursue a destination.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2025
In the woods: Why race for 30 hours through the wilderness with no course and nothing but a compass?
—Justin Porter, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
The wind sighs: Save me, Lord, for the waters have compassed my soul.
—Tomas Tranströmer, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024
Abigail Jackson The adjacent dining area is dedicated to family heirlooms like a set of Allan Gould compass chairs from Kate’s interior designer grandmother and a red vintage rug from her great-grandparents.
—Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for compass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compass
Noun
-
So, one way to fix this is, fertilizing in spring with a citrus fertilizer, according to label directions.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Hopkins said fire department personnel also monitor the outside air and wind direction, knowing that homes downwind are likely to smell the gas and call the fire department with concerns.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This identifies patterns in scope, team composition, timelines and customer feedback to reveal success or failure predictors.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Last year, for example, the mission team shifted the scope into one-gyro mode after yet another of the devices failed.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
These structures, the center core and open perimeters, are already built.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His swirling, circling Ophüls-like camera movements and magenta-to-mauve tonal shifts create an atmosphere sensitive to morning-after regret.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Several of the words on the back have letters circled in red.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Victoria Goodwin has accepted a plea deal for her involvement in plotting her estranged husband Aaron Goodwin’s murder.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Leaders assume everything is fine, not realizing that high performers are masters at appearing fine while already plotting their next move.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The queen of the kitchen is adding a dash of spice to the narrative surrounding Duchess Meghan's Netflix show.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The situation surrounding Saints' veteran Derek Carr has led to many questions over the past several weeks.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Martha Stewart previously slammed former friend Ina Garten The lifestyle maven is known to cook up beef with fellow lifestyle brand competitors, including taking aim at former friend Ina Garten in September.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Unfortunately, Seong-je knows no loyalty, and agrees to beat up Si-eun for Baek-jin on the morning of the fight.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The protests signal the extent of public alarm over some of Trump's executive actions and cuts to federal government.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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There, McVeigh was booked and saw on TV the extent of the devastation.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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