compass 1 of 2

noun

Definition of compassnext
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

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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

compass

2 of 2

verb

ˈkəm-pəs How to pronounce compass (audio)
1
as in to accomplish
to carry through (as a process) to completion attempting more than his modest abilities could compass

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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

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun compass differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of compass are gamut, orbit, range, scope, and sweep. While all these words mean "the extent that lies within the powers of something (as to cover or control)," compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

When is gamut a more appropriate choice than compass?

While the synonyms gamut and compass are close in meaning, gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When is it sensible to use orbit instead of compass?

In some situations, the words orbit and compass are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Where would range be a reasonable alternative to compass?

The meanings of range and compass largely overlap; however, 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

When could scope be used to replace compass?

The words scope and compass can be used in similar contexts, but scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

In what contexts can sweep take the place of compass?

Although the words sweep and compass have much in common, 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 compass
Noun
When exposed to radiofrequency waves, the turtles could still perceive and identify the magnetic field signatures, but their ability to orient themselves with an internal compass appeared to be disrupted. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025 To use a previous example, a category could be describing measuring instruments, and the answers would be compass, ruler, scale, and watch. — Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 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
  1. direction
  2. scope
  3. perimeter
  4. circle
  5. plot
  6. surround
  7. know
  8. extent
Noun
  • The home at 2195 Dias Dr. — which sits on nearly 99 acres with unobstructed views in every direction — is on the market for $2.25 million.
    — David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 15 Mar. 2025
  • In the case of substance addictions such as involving alcohol, drugs, tobacco/nicotine, and other substance use disorders (SUD), generative AI can steer you in that direction.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Kickstart Your Day with The Morning Jolt The practice of individual judges, in locales favorable to the litigants, issuing injunctions that are nationwide in scope and affect parties not before the courts raises many grave objections.
    — The Editors, National Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Their worlds feel just as grand in scope as famously massive games like The Elder Scrolls — presenting lush alien lands filled with tons of diverse creatures and wildlife, and hundreds of individual NPCs that often have unique stories to tell.
    — Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of scope
Noun
  • The percentage tells the public how much of the fire perimeter is believed to not go beyond the control lines.
    — CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacramento Bee, 11 Mar. 2025
  • His unreliable perimeter shot means defenders sag off him, clogging driving lanes and forcing him to rely more on his quickness to generate opportunities.
    — Brian Sampson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of perimeter
Verb
  • Jonah Hill is circling to headline, write and direct Cut Off for Warner Bros.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Dolphins circled the capsule as divers readied it for hoisting onto the recovery ship.
    — Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of circle
Verb
  • Police said Victoria denied wanting Aaron dead and plotting to kill him, per TMZ.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • With space behind the defence strangled and the centre of the pitch condensed, plotting a course requires precise combination play.
    — Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of plot
Verb
  • To be sure, despite the haze surrounding the economy, Powell remains clear on one thing that should prove reassuring to investors: The risks of a U.S. recession remain low.
    — Alain Sherter, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • And the positivity surrounding it is annoying, including my own.
    — Hannah Sacks, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of surround
Verb
  • The cause of the fire was not known, the Fire Brigade said.
    — Phil Helsel, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Beta amyloid plaques are known to collect between neurons in the brain and disrupt cell function.
    — Jade Walker, CNN, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of know
Noun
  • To the extent Medicare receives funding from the states, expect higher state and local taxes, property taxes, and consumption taxes like sales and use taxes, to cover the shortfall.
    — Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Also striking: several court cases in Florida highlight the extent to which criminal networks operate to funnel weapons to Haiti and its menacing gangs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of extent

Browse Nearby Words

compartments
compass
compassed
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Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on compass

Nglish: Translation of compass for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about compass

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