circumvention

American  

[sur-kuhm-ven-shuhn] / ˌsɜr kəmˈvɛn ʃən /

noun

1. the act of bypassing or going around something.

   Taking the northern route, to allow circumvention of the mountains, made the journey twice as long.

2. the act of avoiding, evading, or forestalling something, often by cleverness or deception.

   Thorough consultation before implementing an innovation allows for the circumvention of potential risks.

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Etymology

Origin of circumvention

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin circumventiōn-, stem of circumventiō “a coming around, surrounding; oppression,” equivalent to circumvent ( def. ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

“Allowing such circumvention would undermine existing tariffs, weaken trade enforcement, and erode policies designed to support domestic manufacturing,” the letter said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

Iran is generally a very tech-savvy country, and many people constantly have multiple circumvention apps on their phones.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Many are using some form of “filter shekan” — an Iranian term for virtual private networks, circumvention apps and other tools that can bypass internet filters and access websites blocked by the government.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Fortunately, the U.S. doesn’t need new legislation to halt such circumvention.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

I will stake my existence that she never stooped to any fraudulent circumvention of my poor uncle.

From The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William