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

Example Sentences

Elsewhere, Hottovy said, more upscale brands have opened up their own stores and online shops, circumventing the need for department stores.

From MarketWatch

Elsewhere, he said, more upscale brands have opened up their own stores and online shops, circumventing the need for department stores.

From MarketWatch

Elsewhere, he said, more upscale brands have opened up their own stores and online shops, circumventing the need for department stores.

From MarketWatch

However, Iranians have become adept at using a variety of methods such as VPNs to circumvent these restrictions.

From BBC

“Aren’t defendants simply circumventing my order, which relies on the conditions in Portland?”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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