circumvent

American  

[sur-kuhm-vent, sur-kuhm-vent] / ˌsɜr kəmˈvɛnt, ˈsɜr kəmˌvɛnt /

verb (used with object)

1. to go around or bypass.

   to circumvent the lake;

   to circumvent the real issues.

2. to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting.

   He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements.

   Synonyms:

   outwit, evade, elude, escape

3. to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap.

   to circumvent a body of enemy troops.

   Synonyms:

   ensnare, encircle

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circumvent British  

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈvɛnt /

verb

1. to evade or go around

2. to outwit

3. to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture

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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

Explanation

To circumvent is to avoid. Someone who trains elephants but somehow gets out of picking up after them has found a way to circumvent the cleaning of the circus tent. Circum in Latin means "around" or "round about," and vent- comes from venire, "to come," but painting a picture from these two parts of the word helps. Picture someone circling around a barrier instead of climbing over it. That's what you do when you circumvent. You find a smart way around rules or barriers, or avoid doing something unpleasant altogether.

Example Sentences

Paul Cole's recent Newmarket winner Circumvent returns to Pattern company, while Dandino also steps up in class following impressive handicap wins at Epsom and Royal Ascot.

From The Guardian • Jul. 25, 2010

Chrishol did a Memory yesterday, going from out-the-back to right-up-front in a matter of strides, thanks to 40-1 winner Circumvent.

From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2010

Circumvent, sėr-kum-vent′, v.t. to come round or outwit a person: to deceive or cheat.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

Circumvent Mr. Fox, if he tries to rule you and make of you a mere cunning machine.

From Editorials from the Hearst Newspapers by Brisbane, Arthur

Related Words

• avoid
• bypass
• deceive
• evade
• prevent
• sidestep
• skirt
• stymie
• thwart