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

General Daily Insight for August 20, 2026 Today’s surprise detours may point us toward a better route. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026 This weekend, parts of I-30 westbound will be closed in west Fort Worth, and drivers will need to take a detour. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

During this time, drivers will be detoured off I-277 Inner at Exit 3A to 11th Street, before continuing back to I-277 Inner. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026 Winsted Road was detoured for several hours as the Torrington Police Department Accident Investigation Team collected evidence and mapped the scene. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for detour

Recent Examples of Synonyms for detour

Noun

The trivial and the momentous can be connected; small deviations can set us on larger paths.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Any deviation from that purpose is an indicator of compromise.

— Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of deviation

Verb

That was enough to prevent the administration from slapping Apple with higher tariffs, bypassing a massive increase in production costs.

— Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Choosing to house the forthcoming museum in the Arts and Industries Building would enable the Smithsonian to bypass the need for congressional approval.

— News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of bypass

Verb

The artisans stay true to the original colors and designs of the park — never deviating in 70 years.

— Carole Horst, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
The 30-month research program known as Operation Blue Skies includes test periods this winter and next, when air traffic controllers will tell some flights to deviate up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) to avoid areas where contrails are likely to form.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of deviate

Noun

In 2023, Quality Control was acquired by Hybe America, led by Scooter Braun, before his departure as CEO in July 2025.

— Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Harry and Meghan’s departure reflected both the larger struggle Black Brits and Americans face and the no-contact rifts that increasingly divide many families.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of departure

Verb

Iran has been subject to Western sanctions for years and has become deft at partially circumventing them.

— Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Starting in the 1990s, underground bankers set up shell companies and bank accounts in Hong Kong to circumvent mainland China’s capital controls.

— Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

One of my non-negotiable recommendations is Tonnara di Scopello, another historic tuna fishery turned into a tiny museum and protected cove.

— Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Her biweekly nostalgia program has turned into a daily online recap of the Keffe D trial.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

Prices of the precious commodity have swung dramatically from one season to the next, particularly as issues such as climate change, water scarcity and pest and disease pressures persist.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
The club opted against a lengthy pre-season trip to North America, Oceania, or East Asia, preferring a smaller-scale tour in which the squad swung back to the Carrington training ground after playing across a host of European cities.

— Carl Anka, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of swing

Browse Nearby Words

detonations

detour

detoured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Synonyms of detour

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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