detour

[dee-toor, dih-toor] / ˈdi tʊər, dɪˈtʊər /

NOUN

indirect course

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deviation diversion

STRONG

branch bypass bypath byway circuit circumnavigation circumvention crotch divergence fork substitute

WEAK

alternate route back road circuitous route circumbendibus roundabout way runaround secondary highway service road temporary route

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.

However, the 72-year-old was forced to take a detour after he was told about the burglary.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Along Portugal’s main north-south highway, there are more than enough bland American-style rest stops, but one turnoff decidedly worth the detour is the 45-minute road to Batalha.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

‘What initially looked like a catastrophic blockade begins to resemble a constrained detour rather than a full seizure of the artery.’

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

This detour into horror is only temporary, but there’s no clear destination in sight.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 14, 2026

Maybe a detour through the zoo is exactly what I need.

From "The Sky at Our Feet" by Nadia Hashimi

Vocabulary lists containing detour

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Barbara Bush (1925 - 2018) Tribute List

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Shiloh

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