circumvent
verb (used with object)
to go around or bypass.
had circumvented
-
past perfectof circumvent.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The country had circumvented sanctions by selling virtually all its products to China, for a much lower price.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025
Riordan himself loved to tell the story of how his administration had circumvented bureaucracy to help downtown business owners who had complained that “No Parking” signs were cutting sales.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 20, 2023
Civil division employees said he did not tell them that he would do this, and felt that had circumvented the proper process.
From New York Times ● Jan. 24, 2021
Calling it “a clear form of judge shopping,” the attorneys said prosecutors so wanted to try their cases before Gorton that they had circumvented the process that assigns cases to judges at random.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2019
I had circumvented Stahl only to destroy myself.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 03, No. 16, February, 1859 by Various
