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

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has called cap circumvention “a cardinal sin.”

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He explained: "The president's circumvention of Congress' power of the purse has been left unchecked by the Supreme Court. Checks and balances must be maintained."

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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.

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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.

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

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