circumvention

American  

[sur-kuhm-ven-shuhn] / ˌsɜr kəmˈvɛn ʃən /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of circumvention

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

Example Sentences

Iran is generally a very tech-savvy country, and many people constantly have multiple circumvention apps on their phones.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Many are using some form of “filter shekan” — an Iranian term for virtual private networks, circumvention apps and other tools that can bypass internet filters and access websites blocked by the government.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Fortunately, the U.S. doesn’t need new legislation to halt such circumvention.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 12, 2026

Censorship circumvention helps people in restrictive countries access the open internet.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026

How impossible for human prudence to foresee and guard against every circumvention!

From The History of the Life of the Late Mr Jonathan Wild the Great by Fielding, Henry