1
as in directions
a guiding or motivating purpose or principle
a young go-getter who lost his moral compass in the course of his quest for fame and fortune
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in scopes
an area over which activity, capacity, or influence extends
within the compass of my voice
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in edges
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something
within the compass of the city walls
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in implements
to carry through (as a process) to completion
attempting more than his modest abilities could compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in circles
to travel completely around
the great age of exploration, when ships of sail compassed the earth
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in plots
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the rebels are compassing the assassination of the king
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in surrounds
to form a circle around
a mysterious isle, compassed by treacherous seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in knows
to have a clear idea of
the concept that the earth is billions of years old is one that the average mind struggles to compass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of compasses
Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
In ordinary magnetic materials, unpaired electrons behave like tiny compasses and eventually align with one another.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 years ago, explorers began using compasses, typically made with a floating cork or piece of wood with a magnetized needle in it, to find their way.
—Scott Brame, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025
Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between checkpoints using maps and compasses.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
Pilots learn to navigate using maps and compasses, as well as natural cues such as stars and terrain features including rivers, bridges and other landmarks to orient themselves and move toward friendly forces.
—Luis Martinez, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Likewise, this administration has demonstrated a talent for sudden pivots — foreign policy statements that change overnight, budget proposals that evaporate by morning, and messaging that suggests the communications team may be using different maps, compasses and time zones.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
In ordinary magnetic materials, unpaired electrons behave like tiny compasses and eventually align with one another.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026
Over 1,000 years ago, explorers began using compasses, typically made with a floating cork or piece of wood with a magnetized needle in it, to find their way.
—Scott Brame, The Conversation, 16 Dec. 2025
Starting in 1910, the company served as the secretive supplier to the commandos of the Italian Navy, starting out crafting precision instruments such as gun sights and luminescent compasses before creating its first watches in 1935.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Orienteering is an outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate between checkpoints using maps and compasses.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compasses
Noun
-
Staff were stationed throughout, giving runners directions, passing out water and cheering us on.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Regular service on the Tehran–Moscow route will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in both directions, IRNA reported, citing officials with Mahan Air.—
Mustafa Qadri,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Men in khaki stood with scopes on rooftops nearby, and questions among newer protesters circulated.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Jonathan Cook testified that police also found 100 other firearms, scopes and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Bring foil edges together to make a packet; crimp to seal tightly.—
Kendra Vaculin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Bake for 12–14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.—
Shafiq Najib,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The resort implements its sustainability commitment in ways beyond just substituting plastic water bottles (with reusable ones made of sugarcane waste) and harvesting rainwater to flush toilets.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The authors recommend that the World Health Organization implements targets to reduce the use of consumer-product biocides in its next Global Action Plan on antimicrobial resistance.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the vehicle circles the far side of the moon, communication back to Earth is expected to be blocked for about 40 minutes.—
Brendan Byrne,
NPR,
6 Apr. 2026
-
On Deck 10, furniture upholstered in La Rumba circles the main pool and an outdoor bar.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.—
Gitanjali Roy,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Pattinson also enters the franchise as the villain Scytale, who plots to end Paul's rule over the universe.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But beneath the lighthearted banter, the personal flattery and the theatrical spectacle that surrounds a royal visit, there remained subtle signs of the deep divisions that have become the most serious test in decades for the long friendship between the United States and the United Kingdom.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This structure surrounds the superconducting magnet at the center of the fusion machine, which also utilizes toroidal field coils, poloidal field coils, and correction coils.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hundreds of miles away from Patriots headquarters, a franchise legend who knows Jacas well gave his stamp of approval.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Farley knows firsthand the capability of the Chinese car industry.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compasses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compasses. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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