1
as in to circumvent
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
the eager enlistee sidestepped the regulations by lying about his age
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 sidestep
The designer’s been wearing several versions of this less-is-more stiletto for a while, sidestepping her reliable Balenciaga pantaboots for Alaïa’s Cœur pumps at Paris Fashion Week and Saint Laurent’s Chica slingbacks to lecture the students of Condé Nast College.
—
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
Each iteration seeks to confer some sort of advantage, such as an ability to sidestep the immune system — or jump into new species.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
While the tariffs are sure to hit all automakers’ supply chains, Tesla operates factories in the U.S., Berlin and Shanghai, enabling it to sidestep some of the challenges faced by other electric vehicle makers.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
File electronically Many of the headaches that taxpayers encounter, including easily avoidable errors and long wait times for refunds, could be sidestepped if everyone filed electronically and used direct deposit.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sidestep 
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 31 Jan. 2025
Each iteration seeks to confer some sort of advantage, such as an ability to sidestep the immune system — or jump into new species.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
While the tariffs are sure to hit all automakers’ supply chains, Tesla operates factories in the U.S., Berlin and Shanghai, enabling it to sidestep some of the challenges faced by other electric vehicle makers.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
File electronically Many of the headaches that taxpayers encounter, including easily avoidable errors and long wait times for refunds, could be sidestepped if everyone filed electronically and used direct deposit.
—Jill Schlesinger, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
All grifters are storytellers, weaving fictions more seductive than reality.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The brand’s long-term goal is weaving sustainability and philanthropy into its business model.—
WWD,
WWD,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen keen to enhance trade relations with the Trump administration and avoid tariff tensions with its largest trading partner.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Maersk has been avoiding the area since December 2023, when Houthi militants began attacking ships in the region.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As a throng of taxis shuttled people through Mayfair ahead of the BAFTAs and London Fashion Week, another stylish and starry crowd was ducking into the Curzon cinema for Miu Miu’s 29th edition of Women’s Tales.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The couples were spotted ducking into the small French restaurant Lilette in the city’s Uptown area, as seen in video obtained by Fox 8 New Orleans.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Cut to the two men brawling in the bowels of a derelict ship in the Miami port, where Spencer has imprisoned and ultimately attempts to drown his son to evade capture.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
After Shark Attack on Bahamas Vacation, the Victims, 1 with 'Shredded' Foot, Speak Out In the actual video, Wells also apologized for his expletive-laden reaction while still attempting to evade the predator.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
For six years, Tomasello, a street boss with the Colombo crime family, had dodged federal agents after an infamous mob war in 1991 and 1992 that left 10 people dead.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2025
-
But the mayor repeatedly dodged questions about whether his latest effort would include a major tenet from the original draft — a ban on no-knock warrants — that was the animating force behind Young’s demands for reform.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Glutathione that's administered intravenously bypasses the digestive system and has direct access to the bloodstream, but Patel said this method also has been shown to have minimal absorption.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA TODAY,
6 Feb. 2025
-
De minimis has helped propel Temu and Shein’s explosive growth in the U.S. by allowing the companies to bypass taxes on low-value shipments, and sustain their rock-bottom prices on everything from shoes and clothes to furniture and electronics.—
Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near sidestep
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share