SIDESTEP Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

sidestep

verb

ˈsīd-ˌstep

Definition of sidestep

as in to circumvent

to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness the eager enlistee sidestepped the regulations by lying about his age

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to weave

to move suddenly aside or to and fro the startled spectator sidestepped away from the oncoming ball

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 sidestep The Marine Corps is also on track to meet its recruiting goal this year, according to officials, having largely sidestepped the deeper struggles facing the other services. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 In the rush to deploy AI, many companies sidestepped an analytically rigorous investment approach. — Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Analysts say a broad shift is underway, with Chinese companies becoming sources of technology and innovation that global businesses cannot easily sidestep. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 Kazakhstan has played a key role helping Russia sidestep sanctions and channel investments from abroad. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sidestep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep

Verb

Iran has been subject to Western sanctions for years and has become deft at partially circumventing them.

— Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 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

Definition of circumvent

Verb

After years of analysis, Caltrans has decided to weave strong micropiles into the 499 aging piles that now support the bridge’s piers, said Allan Kosup, chief deputy director of Caltrans District 11 in San Diego and Imperial counties.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
Kamnop is a quest for healing and justice, where dreams become reality, weaving together memory, sorrow and joy.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

Those risks include scenarios in which AI could help create chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, autonomously carry out serious cyberattacks, or evade human control.

— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The father-daughter duo has set up shop ensconced in the woods, herding donkeys and so far evading the violence closing in on them from the outside.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of evade

Verb

Roosts can be hard to access, and as these fleet flitters can also dodge nets, not to mention breezily detect them using their echolocation capabilities.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Edmunds then dodged a rusher to complete a 49-yard pass to Skylar Robinson to set up a 32-yard field goal Malachi Newmaster on the final play of the first half.

— Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dodge

Verb

That was enough to prevent the administration from slapping Apple with higher tariffs, bypassing a massive increase in production costs.

— Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Choosing to house the forthcoming museum in the Arts and Industries Building would enable the Smithsonian to bypass the need for congressional approval.

— News Desk, Artforum, 24 Aug. 2026