DETOUR Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

detour 1 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌtu̇r

Definition of detour

as in deviation

a turning away from a course or standard we'll regard this relapse as just a brief detour on your road to recovery from substance abuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adherence

detour

2 of 2

verb

as in to bypass

to avoid by going around we had to detour the construction zone in order to get to the stadium

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deviate

to change one's course or direction we had to detour for a few miles around the section of highway under construction

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 detour

Noun

With very few alternate routes, Caltrans is recommending two lengthy detours around the closure. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Those detours would often be the inspiration that produced new design ideas. — Steven Weill, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Northbound 287 traffic will be detoured to the Wilbarger Street exit. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026 Drivers will be detoured to Doors 3 and 4 on the other side of the terminal, the airport said in a news release. — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for detour

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour

Noun

The meat may have been stored in a refrigerator experiencing unsafe deviations in temperature.

— Eva Flowe October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Detecting such deviations could help distinguish between competing explanations for inflation and reveal more about the universe’s earliest conditions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of deviation

Verb

Current and former employees say that the decision to restart injection came from the top of the oil division, including Strickland and McGinnis, among others — bypassing staff who objected to the plan.

— Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 27 Oct. 2026
Because they are structured as a purchase of future receivables rather than a traditional loan, MCAs bypass the lengthy underwriting process of traditional banks.

— Nathan Mor, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of bypass

Verb

But in Central Asia, far from the empire’s center, local artists sometimes used the mosaics to deviate from the official agenda.

— Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
But over time, due to a variety of systems issues with obtaining certain medications, the lethal injection protocol has deviated from the standard devised by Chapman.

— M. Sara Rosenthal, STAT, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of deviate

Noun

Since Sorrells was sworn in, at least 79 assistant district attorneys have resigned, according to a source familiar with the departures.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
His departure just days before the midterms adds to the questions swirling around MAHA’s salience to the electorate.

— Anil Oza, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of departure

Verb

All three said West Point appears to be circumventing the judge's ruling by using a different justification to continue to enforce its speech rules.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
To circumvent the council’s rulings, Khan created a development corporation, a mayoral body that could take control of the area and assume planning powers from the council.

— Will Barker, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

But one item that is broken out in the report is $100 million, for turning tracks that would allow trains to be turned at the airport.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says its Evasion and Graffiti Lawlessness Eradication (EAGLE) Teams aren't going away despite two recent confrontations between fare inspectors and bus riders that turned physical.

— Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

The outcome in California's 13th District could hinge on whether Lincoln can attract moderate and swing voters beyond the Republican base.

— Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Fans at Capital One Arena swung white towels ecstatically after Justin Champagnie converted a shot — also drawing a foul — to give the Wizards a seven-point lead with just over eight minutes left.

— Jake Kauderer, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of swing

Browse Nearby Words

detonations

detour

detoured

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Detour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/detour. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of detour

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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