detour

/ˈdiːtʊr/
noun
  1. A longer route taken to avoid something or to reach a destination indirectly.
    • We took a detour because the main road was closed for repairs.
    • A fallen tree forced us to make a detour through the countryside.
    • The GPS suggested a detour to avoid the traffic jam on the highway.
  2. A temporary path used when the usual road is blocked.
    • The construction crew set up a detour around the bridge.
    • The detour added an extra 20 minutes to our drive.
    • Follow the orange signs for the detour until you reach the next town.
  3. A deviation from a direct or planned course of action, often in a figurative sense.
    • Sometimes a detour in life leads to unexpected opportunities.
    • The conversation took a detour into politics, which surprised everyone.
    • His career took a detour when he decided to study art instead of law.
Antonyms
verb
  1. To take or follow a longer route to avoid something or reach a destination indirectly.
    • They detoured to the scenic route to enjoy the mountain views.
    • The driver detoured through the back streets to avoid the parade.
    • We had to detour around the flooded area to get home safely.
  2. To cause someone or something to take a longer or different route.
    • The police detoured traffic away from the accident scene.
    • The construction detoured all buses to the side streets.
    • Heavy rain detoured the hikers to a different trail.