orbit 1 of 2

verb

Definition of orbitnext
as in to circle
to travel completely around the moon orbits the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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orbit

2 of 2

noun

as in loop

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun orbit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of orbit are compass, gamut, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," orbit suggests an often circumscribed range of activity or influence within which forces work toward accommodation.

within that restricted orbit they tried to effect social change

When might compass be a better fit than orbit?

In some situations, the words compass and orbit are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Where would gamut be a reasonable alternative to orbit?

The words gamut and orbit can be used in similar contexts, but gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When can range be used instead of orbit?

The words range and orbit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, range is a general term indicating the extent of one's perception or the extent of powers, capacities, or possibilities.

the entire range of human experience

In what contexts can scope take the place of orbit?

Although the words scope and orbit have much in common, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When would sweep be a good substitute for orbit?

The meanings of sweep and orbit largely overlap; however, sweep suggests extent, often circular or arc-shaped, of motion or activity.

the book covers the entire sweep of criminal activity

Example 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 orbit
Verb
The spacefarers made their venture to space aboard a Dragon capsule that was propelled into orbit atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025 SpaceX While SpaceX regularly launches its Falcon rockets to deliver satellites and astronauts into orbit, Musk’s ultimate goal for the company is much further afield. —Taylor Kate Brown, ProPublica, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
Oxygenic photosynthesis might be just out of reach on a planet closely orbiting an M-dwarf, says Duffy. —Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 The same can be said of the moon, which instead orbits Earth. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for orbit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbit
  1. circle
  2. loop
  3. traverse
  4. circuit
  5. trajectory
  6. path
  7. route
Verb
  • Quasi-moons differ from temporary mini-moons that occasionally orbit Earth such as 2024 PT5, which circled the planet for two months in 2024 and could be an ancient fragment that was blasted off of our primary moon.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Pole dancers circled installations for night-long performances that wrapped around the venue interior.
    — Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of circle
Noun
  • My husband has been muttering in a loop about tuition, books, food, and transportation to and from home to campus.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The western United States is running drier than average during a 30-year drought, which can create a feedback loop of higher temperatures and lower precipitation.
    — Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of loop
Verb
  • The book traverses the story of these relationships elegantly.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Designated a National Historic Landmark, this remarkable route spans more than 64 miles of unspoiled wilderness, traversing the majestic scenery of Colorado and New Mexico.
    — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of traverse
Noun
  • Getty Images The fashion week circuit this fall has been a captivating preview of what's to come in the new season, but what's truly stood out is the way brown tones are dominating the runways with unprecedented authority.
    — Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Clairo’s kept busy on the festival circuit this year, playing at several marquee festivals including Governors Ball, Lollapalooza and Coachella.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of circuit
Noun
  • Getty Images That upward trajectory stands in contrast to the United States, where life expectancy virtually flatlined during the 2010s and even dipped slightly on occasions during the 2010s—a trend blamed in large part on a surge in deaths from overdoses from the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
    — Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Earlier this year, the Boston Partners Global Premium Equities Fund cashed out of its stake in the German arms manufacturer, even as investor demand for the company remains on an upward trajectory.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of trajectory
Noun
  • Since that meeting, during which allies expressed optimism of a path forward on security guarantees, no progress has materialized.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The advance gives sodium batteries a clearer path to compete with lithium.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of path
Noun
  • In addition to optimizing queries, Espresso routes queries between different compute clusters to maximize efficiency.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The location of the firearm appears to match the suspect's route of travel, the sources said.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of route

Browse Nearby Words

orb
orbit
orbited
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Cite this Entry

“Orbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbit. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on orbit

Nglish: Translation of orbit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orbit

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