circumvention

[sur-kuhm-ven-shuhn]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumvention¹

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

Example Sentences

The White House said ending the duty-free exemption would combat "escalating deceptive shipping practices, illegal material, and duty circumvention", claiming some shippers had "abused" the exemption to send illicit drugs into the US.

From BBC

This structure could potentially allow circumvention of Congress’s constitutional authority over government spending and create opportunities for behind-closed-doors management without proper oversight.

From Los Angeles Times

Some have also criticised the effectiveness of Ofcom's implementation of UK age check requirements, and their potential circumvention using virtual private networks.

From BBC

Some of the ways Ofcom suggests platforms can check ages prompt questions, but Chelsea Jarvie, a cyber security expert, said the methods "are effective at proving someone's age and include controls to prevent circumvention".

From BBC

Diko said that "the law is clear on compliance" and, crucially added, that "cutting corners and circumvention is not an option - least of all to appease business interests".

From BBC