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
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
Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Instead, three real analog gauges take its place, showing you the outside air temperature, a clock, and a compass.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 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
The Inuit found gold and silver watches, compasses, kitchen utensils, and books and papers scattered across sites associated with the expedition.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Instead, three real analog gauges take its place, showing you the outside air temperature, a clock, and a compass.
—ArsTechnica, 13 May 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
-
Mahan has refused to back down, maintaining that making difficult decisions is necessary to steer San Jose in the right direction.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2025
-
Most days, there are between three and five clues in each direction on a five by five grid, but the puzzles are sometimes larger, especially on Saturdays.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
His role, while technically unpaid and temporary, grew in both scope and influence—often bypassing traditional bureaucratic channels.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
30 May 2025
-
Direct File is still limited in scope, and may be on its way out, casting taxpayers back into the jungle of for-profit tax preparation software.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The root cause of this risk is a network perimeter security mindset.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
Plans call for a perimeter walking-and-biking trail that loops into a network of pedestrian paths.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Right Now And don’t skip a walk around the city walls—a 1.2-mile stretch circling the Old Town.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Union demonstrators demanding passage of the bill greeted lawmakers outside the Capitol in the morning, circling a corner of the parking lot used by the governor and top legislative leaders.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2025
Verb
-
Artillery missions had been plotted the night before.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
-
The filmmaker puts aside the self-reflexive storytelling that has marked much of his work since he was first arrested in 2010, delivering a straightforward narrative that’s plotted like a good thriller but builds into a stark condemnation of abusive power.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Verb
-
Containment indicates what percentage of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2025
-
Others are sleeping in tents surrounded by the rubble of their former homes, fearful to leave in case they are forced out of Gaza.—
Sarah-Grace Mankarious,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
Forget iOS 19: Apple To Launch iPhone 17 With Radically Different Software, Report Says Software in the iPhone knows your location and is able to spot the satellites passing overhead to guide you where to point.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
They are also known as direct-to-participant trials or virtual studies.1 DCTs may offer several benefits, including convenience for participants.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
To a lesser extent, McDavid was part of Leon Draisaitl’s Rocket-winning act this season.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
-
President Trump issued an April 25 executive order requiring his administration to identify and (to the extent legally possible) eliminate anticompetitive federal regulations (in effect, ACMDs).—
Alden Abbott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share