Thesaurus results for ORBIT

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

orbit 1 of 2

noun

Definition of orbit next

as in loop

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Examples 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

As our Earth orbits the sun, summer stars will gradually set earlier and earlier in the evening. —

Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 3 Nov. 2024 The first animal to orbit Earth was a good girl who met a bad end aboard the Soviet Union’s Sputnik 2. —

The Arizona Republic, 2 Nov. 2024

Verb

The first blob was the black hole and an inner star orbiting close by. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2024 While classic telecommunication satellites orbit as high as 35,000 kilometres from earth, constellation satellites are at just 600 kilometres altitude, greatly reducing latency and allowing for video streaming. —

Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for orbit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for orbit

Noun

Domingo is perhaps best known for his eloquence, but here, he’s caught in a loop, grasping for the right thing to say.

Selome Hailu, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
The music video stars the pygmy hippopotamus, who lives at a zoo in Thailand, bouncing around in her trademark style in a loop.

Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024