CIRCUMVENT Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

circumvent

verb

ˌsər-kəm-ˈvent

Definition of circumvent

as in to bypass

to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness employees who try to circumvent the company's dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to avoid

to avoid by going around circumvented the traffic jam by taking an alternate route

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to traverse

to travel completely around most casual joggers will be able to circumvent the reservoir without too much of a strain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of circumvent Be aware of early withdrawal penalties, then, and your realistic ability to circumvent them. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 In April, a federal appeals court ruled that the administration could not categorically bar people already in the country from applying for asylum or circumvent the removal procedures established by Congress. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Starting in the 1990s, underground bankers set up shell companies and bank accounts in Hong Kong to circumvent mainland China’s capital controls. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026 That probe was led by board member Susie Giordano, who reviewed 11 export transactions and found no evidence anyone at the company tried to circumvent export controls or was aware of any product diversion. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circumvent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvent

Verb

While not a common path for elite Japanese amateurs, bypassing the NPB draft would not be unprecedented.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Recent incidents, like OpenAI's models bypassing controls and Anthropic's models accessing real systems, underscore this threat.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of bypass

Verb

City officials asked people to avoid the downtown area where police are investigating the shooting.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

And while Jonas is no stranger to traversing the nation, often on a tour bus, he may not have been accustomed to the way it was done on the commercial’s set.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
The ride reaches speeds of 72 mph, the fastest coaster in Universal’s global portfolio, while traversing 4,100 feet of track, two towering inverted loops and a pretzel loop.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of traverse

Verb

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Johnson has previously stated the Illinois constitution’s flat income tax rate evades the city’s wealth gap.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of evade

Verb

Lyonnes and Washington Spirit of the NWSL, Kang’s influence stretches across the global game, but it cannot be escaped that Putellas has dropped down from the highest level with this move.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Jordan, who escapes relatively unscathed, is at once cowed and traumatized yet committed to vengeance.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has denied accusations that the government ignored warnings about an impending mass border crossing from Morocco to the enclave of Ceuta.

— Jack Guy, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
The numbers are impossible to ignore, while Boteli’s bustling physical profile — two-footed, quick, and comfortable through the middle or out wide — means that a move to Europe’s top five leagues will soon be on the cards.

— Thom Harris, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026