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

That’s why four former FDA commissioners sent a letter to Congress highlighting the dangers of circumventing our nation’s drug supply chain, which is currently the safest in the world.

From Washington Blade

The letter was among evidence that Asadi used to appeal to the United States, circumventing Afghan channels, he said.

From Washington Post

The NFL knows the coronavirus is a problem and has spent the entire year planning to circumvent it.

From Washington Post

What has received much less attention is whether these two men circumvented the rules to get access to experimental drugs outside clinical trials, and if so, how their actions could affect drug development.

From MIT Technology Review

Because most major demand-side platforms offer Google ad inventory, political advertisers can circumvent the targeting limitations by going to another platform that offers microtargeted Google display ad inventory.

From Digiday

If it can be, let it be done fairly, openly, and without circumvention.

From Project Gutenberg

Now in this latter attempt, the subtilty of his circumvention, hath indirectly obtained the former.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a vigorous ally in my mother, who brought her own bright wits to bear on the circumvention of the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

What a pity that this diminution of tail and claws does not signify a corresponding decrease of cruel and stealthy circumvention!

From Project Gutenberg

Circumvention with them aims at permanent results which it alone cannot obtain.

From Project Gutenberg