1. using or characterized by many words to express something that could be said more briefly; roundabout or indirect in speech or writing
Usage: formal; often used critically to describe unnecessarily wordy communication

Examples

• The politician's circumlocutory response avoided answering the reporter's direct question.
• Her circumlocutory writing style made the simple instructions difficult to follow.
• Instead of saying 'no,' he gave a circumlocutory explanation that took five minutes.
• The legal document was so circumlocutory that even lawyers struggled to understand it.
• A circumlocutory speaker often loses the audience's attention with excessive detail.
• The teacher asked students to avoid circumlocutory language and write more concisely.