orbit 1 of 2

noun

Definition of orbitnext
as in loop

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orbit

2 of 2

verb

as in to circle
to travel completely around the moon orbits the Earth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun orbit differ from other similar words?

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

When might compass be a better fit than orbit?

In some situations, the words compass and orbit are roughly equivalent. However, compass implies a sometimes limited extent of perception, knowledge, or activity.

your concerns lie beyond the narrow compass of this study

Where would gamut be a reasonable alternative to orbit?

The words gamut and orbit can be used in similar contexts, but gamut suggests a graduated series running from one possible extreme to another.

a performance that ran the gamut of emotions

When can range be used instead of orbit?

The words range and orbit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

In what contexts can scope take the place of orbit?

Although the words scope and orbit have much in common, scope is applicable to an area of activity, predetermined and limited, but somewhat flexible.

as time went on, the scope of the investigation widened

When would sweep be a good substitute for orbit?

The meanings of sweep and orbit largely overlap; however, 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 orbit
Noun
China’s new strategy, symbolized by Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to North Korea in June, aims to draw Pyongyang back into its orbit and make the bilateral relationship more stable and manageable. — Zheng Jiyong, Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Michibiki 7 will be part of Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS), a homegrown navigation system that operates high above Earth in geosynchronous orbit. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
As companies race to build orbiting data centers, scientists are starting to warn the same systems could create giant rings of artificial satellites around Earth, altering the night sky with more light pollution. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 Starlink beams down broadband to consumers, governments and businesses using more than 10,000 satellites orbiting close above the Earth. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for orbit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbit
  1. loop
  2. circle
  3. circuit
  4. traverse
  5. trajectory
  6. path
  7. route
Noun
  • Here's where autonomy stops being binary and starts being a loop.
    — John Werner, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The French container shipping firm had previously trialed Europe-Asia FAL3 loops late last year before rerouting them back around the Cape starting in January.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of loop
Verb
  • On the day Tran was ambushed, the vehicle circled the area 16 times before the shooting, according to investigators.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The captain of a lobster diving boat, Steven Del Sol, told officials that his vessel was anchored off Fisher Island when Simpson's Conch-brand boat allegedly approached him at high speed and began circling his boat, the arrest affidavit said.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of circle
Noun
  • Expect to see more of Katie Holmes and Jason Bard Yarmosky on the gala season circuit across the Hamptons and in their home of NYC.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson formed the league by providing star athletes with salaries and appearance fees to compete on a four-event circuit in 2025.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of circuit
Verb
  • Both Craig and Flanagan spent the weekend traversing the Twin Cities metro area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The discovery will shed new light into just who was traversing these waters during that era, the culture ministry says.
    — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of traverse
Noun
  • After the 2008 financial crisis, the Fed began more deliberately guiding the market to near certainty on the trajectory of rates heading into its meetings.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The report underscores how central tariff policy has become to the government’s fiscal trajectory, and how exposed that revenue stream is to legal and political risk.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of trajectory
Noun
  • In Spain, hotel demand along the eclipse’s path of totality — including in the northern Spanish cities of A Coruña, Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela — has soared.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But while the new senator has championed some of her brother's priorities, like a Russia sanctions bill the Senate approved last week, she's also attempted to chart her own path.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of path
Noun
  • The other four switched off their tracking transponders to avoid detection so their route is unknown.
    — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of route

Browse Nearby Words

orb
orbit
orbited
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Cite this Entry

“Orbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orbit. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on orbit

Nglish: Translation of orbit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orbit

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