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definitions

circumvent

[ sur-kuhm-vent, sur-kuhm-vent ]
/ ˌsɜr kəmˈvɛnt, ˈsɜr kəmˌvɛnt /
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verb (used with object)

to go around or bypass: to circumvent the lake; to circumvent the real issues.
to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting: He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements.
to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap: to circumvent a body of enemy troops.

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RELATED WORDS

prevent, thwart, deceive, stymie, avoid, sidestep, evade, bypass, skirt, cramp, stump, ensnare, elude, beguile, queer, outflank, outwit, circumnavigate, disappoint, crimp

Nearby words

  1. circumstantiate,
  2. circumstellar,
  3. circumterrestrial,
  4. circumvallate,
  5. circumvallate papilla,
  6. circumvention,
  7. circumventricular organ,
  8. circumvolute,
  9. circumvolution,
  10. circumvolve

Origin of circumvent

1545–55; < Latin circumventus (past participle of circumvenīre to come around, surround, oppress, defraud), equivalent to circum- circum- + ven(īre) to come + -tus past participle suffix
Related formscir·cum·vent·er, cir·cum·ven·tor, nouncir·cum·ven·tion, nouncir·cum·ven·tive, adjectiveun·cir·cum·vent·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for circumvent

British Dictionary definitions for circumvent

circumvent

/ (ˌsɜːkəmˈvɛnt) /

verb (tr)

to evade or go around
to outwit
to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture
Derived Formscircumventer or circumventor, nouncircumvention, nouncircumventive, adjective

Word Origin for circumvent

C15: from Latin circumvenīre, from circum- + venīre to come
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for circumvent

circumvent

v.

mid-15c., "to surround by hostile stratagem," from Latin circumventus, past participle of circumvenire "to get around, be around, encircle, surround," in figurative sense "to oppress, assail, cheat," from circum "around" (see circum-) + venire "to come" (see venue). Meaning "to go round" is from 1840. Related: Circumvented; circumventing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper