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

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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

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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
  • Geography can also give you a nudge in the right direction.
    — Emily Price, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • There will also be standard shoulders in each direction between the bridge on First Avenue and the bridge over the West River, according to DOT.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of direction
Noun
  • Prior to principal photography, Anderson spent more than a year working with his VFX supervisor Dennis Berardi to develop the full look and scope of the Lost Lands.
    — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Kessler regularly represents the MLBPA in litigation (including in a recent case concerning the scope of the union’s over agents), and has been involved in every past decertification effort by players unions.
    — Chris Deubert, Forbes, 7 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
  • Later Friday, the security perimeter was extended to 500 meters, according to the Saint Denis town hall.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of perimeter
Verb
  • As the rivals are circling, the challenge for Red Bull is to reestablish its domination before a major change in regulations next year.
    — Dan Cancian, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Now that the lander is circling the moon, cameras aboard Athena are capturing stunning images of the surface below.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of circle
Verb
  • Was only the first season really plotted out in any meaningful way?
    — Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Black sharecroppers and tenant farmers were plotting an insurrection.
    — Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made by History, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of plot
Verb
  • With all of the uncertainty surrounding the budget and the IRS, taxpayers aren’t rushing to file their taxes (☆).
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The vaccine has been linked to rare cases of heart inflammation and inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, although the severity has varied and most patients fully recovered, the CDC says.
    — Stephanie Armour | KFF Health News, ABC News, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of surround
Verb
  • By 1988, the group, known for its new jack swing style, released its debut album, Who?.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2025
  • An small, undisturbed fishing town with untouched charm, it's not known to many—although word is slowly spreading.
    — Mariah Tyler, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of know
Noun
  • However, with the Russian death toll in Ukraine, which could be as high as 211,000, how veterans integrate into civilian life and how society views them may be shaped by the extent to which the truth of the war's human costs is revealed.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Whilst Europeans may not appreciate the extent to which a ‘beggar thy neighbour’ philosophy is driven by US security policy, the White House is underestimating the value that America’s wide ranging financial, diplomatic and commercial infrastructure bring it.
    — Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of extent

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Cite this Entry

“Compass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compass. Accessed 15 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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