digress

[dih-gres, dahy-] / dɪˈgrɛs, daɪ- /

VERB

stray, deviate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

meander

STRONG

aberrate depart divagate drift ramble roam swerve veer wander

WEAK

be diffuse beat about the bush circumlocute excurse get off the point get off the subject get sidetracked go by way of go off on a tangent long way turn aside wander away

Antonyms

STRONG

go direct stay

WEAK

be direct

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.

If David Nihill was a philosopher, his credo might be “I digress, therefore I am.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

If we really want to talk about moral failings, perhaps we should ask predatory lenders to join the chat—but I digress.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2024

He also lives in multiple homes and has his own private jet — but I digress.

From Salon • Sep. 7, 2023

But I digress — this is supposed to be a positive column.

From Seattle Times • May 3, 2023

And Small Islanders eager to say their ancestry is “mixed”? But we must not digress.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie