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

He got a chilly reception from many locals and Greenland’s leaders, who accused him of turning up uninvited in an attempt to circumvent official diplomatic channels.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

With the Iran war now well into its third month, countries are scrambling to circumvent the geopolitical tug of war by transitioning more quickly to renewables.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

Meanwhile, state regulators are targeting VPNs - virtual private networks used to circumvent restrictions.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Although the law sets forth detailed procedures that must be followed before withdrawing Medicaid or Medicare funds, Kasubhai noted, Kennedy’s declaration aimed to circumvent all that: “Immediate compliance was demanded.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

But I’d never been to Mbandaka, had no idea how far I’d have to go out of my way to circumvent it.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

Related Words

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