Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

circuitous

[ser-kyoo-i-tuhs] / sərˈkyu ɪ təs /
ADJECTIVE
going around, indirect
Synonyms
STRONGEST
devious labyrinthine meandering rambling tortuous
WEAK
ambagious back road by way of circular collateral complicated long way long way around oblique roundabout winding around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
direct straight straightforward
WEAK
in line

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In that case, exchanges like Coinbase and Robinhood say they can’t trace back the cost basis because of the holding’s circuitous route.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 14, 2026

In a circuitous way, Karp’s reshaping of Paul Weiss appeared to bring him into Epstein’s orbit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

People travelling between Al-Eizariya and Jerusalem would have to take a circuitous route three times longer than the present journey, he said.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

His had been a circuitous route to F1.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2025

Sam took a circuitous route through the woods to the county road.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George