1
as in to bypass
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
employees who try to circumvent the company's dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to avoid
to avoid by going around
circumvented the traffic jam by taking an alternate route
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to traverse
to travel completely around
most casual joggers will be able to circumvent the reservoir without too much of a strain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example 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 circumvent
If the objective is to reconsider capital punishment in America, that debate belongs in Congress and the courts, not in last-minute executive decrees that circumvent the very system designed to weigh such questions.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
The legal battle gained further attention when, on February 7, a federal appeals court ruled on a procedural matter in the investigation, which had initially considered whether McMahon had circumvented WWE's internal controls to hide these allegations.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Other countries under sanctions – Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela – have previously employed clandestine shipping networks to circumvent international scrutiny and sanctions.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Feb. 2025
The East Hartford congressman spoke for several minutes, arguing that President Donald Trump and others in the administration are seeking to circumvent accountability through both Congress and the courts.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumvent
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
The legal battle gained further attention when, on February 7, a federal appeals court ruled on a procedural matter in the investigation, which had initially considered whether McMahon had circumvented WWE's internal controls to hide these allegations.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
Other countries under sanctions – Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela – have previously employed clandestine shipping networks to circumvent international scrutiny and sanctions.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Feb. 2025
The East Hartford congressman spoke for several minutes, arguing that President Donald Trump and others in the administration are seeking to circumvent accountability through both Congress and the courts.
—Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumvent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvent
Verb
-
This becomes even more critical as threat actors find ways to bypass or steal 2FA codes, setting fire to our safety nets.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The measure, which allows Republicans to bypass the filibuster, was adopted 52-48, largely along party lines.—
Rachel Schilke,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Unfortunately, Hartford continues to avoid the heavy lifting that is required to have a successful system.—
Vincent Turley,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2025
-
To avoid any surprises, check the Maryland Park Service website for real-time updates.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
On 2/25, agents traversed rugged desert terrain under the cover of darkness, positioning themselves for a surprise take down at sunrise.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Collin Leiby was traversing a trail on Sharp Mountain in Pennsylvania when his dog, Bass, wandered off the path, according to The Associated Press.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Colt escapes by initially driving a speedboat while facing away from the controls, evades his pursuers by zigging and zagging through the river, and then purposefully drives his boat into a floating pontoon, faking his own death via the gigantic explosion.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Now, however, DHS states that the previous rules hindered law enforcement efforts by creating sites where people without legal status could evade capture.—
Jackie Fortiér,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As the rivals are circling, the challenge for Red Bull is to reestablish its domination before a major change in regulations next year.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Now that the lander is circling the moon, cameras aboard Athena are capturing stunning images of the surface below.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Duterte withdrew the Philippines in 2019 from the Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty, in a move human rights activists say was aimed at escaping accountability.—
Jim Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Without cellphone service, and fearing that his driver might have a weapon, the then 32-year-old Ugandan felt powerless to escape.—
Amy Gunia,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The move raises the prospect of Russian forces cutting Ukrainian supply lines and encircling Kyiv's troops.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Wolves track, pursue and encircle prey using only positional awareness of their packmates, proving that teamwork can arise naturally—without a leader.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
And no, not because Disney is ignoring him or passing him over.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
But in the 1990s, when social practice art was gaining traction within European museums (especially in the United Kingdom), most Latin American institutions were ignoring that development, which remained limited to underground networks.—
Fabiola Iza,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumvent. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share