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
There is, however, a way to circumvent the deportation process.
—
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
But rather than renegotiate those contracts, Adams and his predecessors have circumvented the standard procurement process with a series of short-term contract extensions, according to the letter.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
The agency, however, has struggled with large shortages of air traffic controllers, who must meet stringent medical requirements that could not be circumvented by DEI initiatives.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The researchers' solution broadly circumvents this problem.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumvent
Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
But rather than renegotiate those contracts, Adams and his predecessors have circumvented the standard procurement process with a series of short-term contract extensions, according to the letter.
—Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025
The agency, however, has struggled with large shortages of air traffic controllers, who must meet stringent medical requirements that could not be circumvented by DEI initiatives.
—Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The researchers' solution broadly circumvents this problem.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for circumvent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvent
Verb
-
Expanding categorical exclusions would allow low-risk projects to bypass NEPA’s unnecessary analysis requirements.—
James Broughel,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
-
The complaint, which was joined by Arizona, Illinois and Oregon, argued that Trump was trying to bypass the U.S. Constitution to deny citizenship to tens of thousands of unborn children.—
Melissa Santos,
Axios,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In a post on X, the NYPD asked people to avoid the area as the investigation proceeded.—
Elizabeth Keogh,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2025
-
While Janice avoids even visiting Eric in prison, she is torn between cleaning out his room and grappling with the role of faith and religion.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As Atom and Claudine traverse the countryside and meet various other characters (cast mostly from non-professional actors), the frame takes on a spectral presence.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Their weapon, the Sarmat, is named for centuries-old nomads who traversed the steppe on horse.—
Alfredo Sosa,
The Christian Science Monitor,
14 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
-
Bottom line, the bulls still have the upper hand—uptrend intact, earnings solid—but the bears are circling and getting stronger.—
Adam Sarhan,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
-
The marker Christo used to circle the islands on black-and-white images was pink.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Seeking escape from an uneasy family life, Gene was entranced by the movies.—
David Morgan,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
But in 2023 she and her associate Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested for child abuse after one of Franke’s sons escaped from Hildebrandt’s home in Utah.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Other ska-adjacent U.K. bands—Madness, the Beat, the Selecter—made a beeline for 2 Tone, and the reverberations would eventually encircle the globe.—
Ian Penman,
Harper's Magazine,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Although dark, thick liner encircled her lash line, her lipstick was a more muted, peach-toned nude.—
India Espy-Jones,
Essence,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
WIRED,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Prison staff had ignored warning signs of his suicide, the lawsuit claims.—
Thomas C. Zambito,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Circumvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumvent. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share