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

Work is underway to replace the failing Eckert Bridge in Boise’s Barber Valley, which means commuters can expect detours for the next two years. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026 And 1014 Gallery’s show of Vincent Wechselberger’s handprints, documenting the hedonism and tenderness that have colored a decade of the photographer’s life in Berlin, is reason enough for a Dalston detour. — Mahoro Seward, Vogue, 14 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

These deviations are due to the interaction between the helium in their atmosphere and traces of other elements, which vary between white dwarfs, depending on what material has interacted with the star over the course of its lifetime.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
This type of structured risk assessment is already extensively used in industry through HAZOP reviews, where potential deviations, causes, consequences and safeguards are systematically examined before a process is put into operation.

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of deviation

Verb

Upwards of 80% of the power for the facility will come directly from wind farms operated by the company, bypassing the grid completely, Envision says.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Giulia eventually entered through the back door, inadvertently bypassing the cameras Conor had set up to capture her reaction.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 12 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

Following the simultaneous departures of former chiefs Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) at the end of last season, long-time fans might have expected another familiar face to take the helm.

— Max Gao, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Her high-profile appointment followed a multiyear hiatus for Calvin Klein Collection on the runway following the departure of Raf Simons in 2018.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of departure

Verb

The lawsuit marks the latest crackdown under the Better Online Ticket Sales Act, also known as the BOTS Act, which bans scalpers from circumventing ticket limits with technology.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
And good for Stuart and Eidra for confirming her new perception of the situation and facilitating a new plan to circumvent Todd’s participation in her conversation with Vaughn.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

He’s handcuffed to this stupid project, and swaths of people have instantly turned their back on him without knowing any of the facts.

— Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
By July, the side project turned into a full-time job when MLB hired Weingardt as a principal product manager to explore changes to its flagship app.

— Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of turn

Verb

Recently, A'ja Wilson charged aggressively toward a fan in the stands and avoided a suspension.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
The group chose roads that would keep them moving, avoiding excessive stop-start riding at traffic lights and intersections wherever possible.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoid

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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of detour

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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