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
The comet becomes a kind of cosmic litterbug, sprinkling dust and debris along its orbit. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 John Amos‘ daughter is suing her brother and people in his orbit over the death of their father for elder abuse and wrongful death. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
Her results suggested that photosynthesis, the process that supplies the energy for Earth’s entire food web, can happen on planets orbiting these orange stars. — Natalie Wolchover, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Avoiding such collisions will also be crucial for Starmind, as each orbiting data center will be fairly large, with a mass up to 4,000kg (4 metric tons) and a solar panel spanning up to 246 feet. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 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
  • To avoid a retaliation claim, keep decisions about Steve’s role, performance, and development consistent and documented, and loop in someone beyond his manager.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
  • EmArm uses a perception-action loop to translate tactile measurements into movement commands.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of loop
Verb
  • Over the past 100,000 years, Halley's Comet has probably circled the sun well over a thousand times, leaving a fresh trail of debris on every visit.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Democrats have circled Alaska, a typically reliable Republican state, as a winnable seat in their bid to flip the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of circle
Noun
  • Arrange your pass with reception to book excellent yoga and fitness classes or access to the lap pool, thermal circuit, or gym.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For many of these women, there's no senior circuit for ring girls.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of circuit
Verb
  • According to Clarksons, 36 percent of container capacity routed via the canal or the Cape of Good Hope traversed the Suez in early October, up from 8 percent between 2024 and mid-2026.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The program takes advantage of showcasing its expansive bounty, with inventive displays of all the ways in which these artifacts traverse borders of time and space.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of traverse
Noun
  • In their rejection of the country’s current trajectory, the protests pose the most significant challenge to Modi’s authority since the prime minister came to power in 2014.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Just to think about the trajectory of her life coming from Pondicherry, even just as a young woman traveling from Pondicherry all the way to Moscow.
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of trajectory
Noun
  • There’s relief in his escape but the path has left him feeling scorned, too.
    — Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Detours and shortcuts in the brain The cells and synapses of the brain aren’t arranged in rigid, linear paths for each task and experience.
    — Sean Mccabe, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of path
Noun
  • For four years, Western commercial passenger and cargo planes have already had to fly longer routes to avoid Russian airspace.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For some, fraud was a route to upward mobility; for others, an act of revenge against the privileged.
    — Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about orbit

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