circumvent

1 to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness <employees who try to circumvent the company's dress code> Synonyms beat, bypass, dodge, get around, shortcut, sidestep, skirt Related Words avoid, duck, elude, end-run, escape, eschew, evade, outflank, shake, shirk, shun; disobey, disregard, flout, ignore; avert, deflect, divert, obviate, parry, prevent, ward (off) Near Antonyms accede (to), acquiesce (to), assent (to); accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome; catch, contract, incur Antonyms comply (with), follow, keep, obey, observe

2 to avoid by going around <circumvented the traffic jam by taking an alternate route> Synonyms bypass, circumnavigate, detour, skirtRelated Words leapfrog; avoid, dodge, duck, elude, escape, eschew, evade, flee, shake, shunNear Antonyms confront, face, meet; accept, court, embrace, pursue, seek, welcome

3 to travel completely around <most casual joggers will be able to circumvent the reservoir without too much of a strain> Synonyms circle, circuit, circumnavigate, encircle, compass, girdle, orbit, ring, roundRelated Words circumambulate, cross, perambulate, traverse