Circuitous (Adjective)
Meaning 1
Marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct; "the explanation was circuitous and puzzling"; "a roundabout paragraph"; "hear in a roundabout way that her ex-husband was marrying her best friend".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The lawyer's circuitous responses to the prosecutor's questions seemed evasive and unconvincing to the jury.
- After being questioned by her teacher, the student offered a circuitous explanation for her late assignment, blaming it on everything except her own lack of responsibility.
- The detective took a circuitous route through the park, keeping an eye on the suspect while pretending to just be out for a casual stroll.
- In his campaign speech, the candidate employed a circuitous narrative that only marginally touched on the issue of healthcare.
- Despite repeated questions from her editor, the author could not explain in clear terms how she arrived at the final chapter of her novel, her words looping through circuitous abstractions that went nowhere.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
Deviating from a straight course; "a scenic but devious route"; "a long and circuitous journey by train and boat"; "a roundabout route avoided rush-hour traffic".
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- The circuitous route through the woods added an extra hour to our hike.
- The politician's circuitous answer to the question left many voters confused.
- The old city's narrow streets forced us to take a circuitous route to the hotel.
- The traveler's circuitous journey from New York to Los Angeles included stops in Chicago and Denver.
- The hikers took a circuitous path to avoid the steep and rocky terrain.