circumvent
Americanverb (used with object)
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to go around or bypass.
to circumvent the lake;
to circumvent the real issues.
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to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting.
He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements.
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to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap.
to circumvent a body of enemy troops.
verb
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to evade or go around
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to outwit
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to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture
Other Word Forms
- circumventer noun
- circumvention noun
- circumventive adjective
- circumventor noun
- uncircumvented adjective
Etymology
Origin of circumvent
First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin circumventus (past participle of circumvenīre “to come around, surround, oppress, defraud”), equivalent to circum- circum- + ven(īre) “to come” + -tus past participle suffix
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.
The lawsuit being heard in Los Angeles, and other cases recently filed, aim to circumvent Section 230 by arguing that the design of the platforms—rather than the content published there—is what harmed children.
The company takes advantage of a legal framework that allows it to circumvent Food and Drug Administration approval for its products.
From Barron's
The company takes advantage of a legal framework that allows it to circumvent Food and Drug Administration approval for the products sold through its website.
From Barron's
Sweden alleged that Canada’s double-touches circumvented electronic monitoring equipment, which uses sensors on the handle of the stone but not the stone itself.
Residents also accused him of attempting to circumvent rent control regulations.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
