get around

verb

got around; got around or gotten around; getting around; gets around

transitive verb

1

: circumvent, evade

2

: to get the better of

intransitive verb

1

a

: to find or take the necessary time or effort

—used with to

b

: to give attention or consideration

—used with to

2

: to go from place to place

3

: to become known or current

word got around that he was resigning

Synonyms

• beat
• best
• conquer
• defeat
• dispatch
• do down [British]
• get
• lick
• master
• overbear
• overcome
• overmatch
• prevail (over)
• skunk
• stop
• subdue
• surmount
• take
• trim
• triumph (over)
• upend
• win (against)
• worst

Examples of get around in a Sentence

somehow, an inexperienced lawyer managed to get around the media giant's stable of high-priced legal eagles

somehow she managed to get around the rules for paying the sales tax on a car bought out of state

Recent Examples on the Web

Sign up for the Post Local newsletter to get local news, weather and expert advice — where to eat, where to drink and how to get around — every weekday. —Martin Weil, Washington Post, 23 July 2024

Battery-electric is also adequate for getting around emission-curbing cities on motorcycles. —New Atlas, 23 July 2024

The best way to get around with heavy payload through the oceans is using huge battleships with large engines. —Jacek Krywko, Ars Technica, 22 July 2024

Replacing the law would get around that problem, but then members would need to hash out the details of a new measure—always a difficult lift. —Sarah Binder, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Kids Definition

get around

verb

1

: evade

2

: to do or deal with (something not yet done or dealt with)

will get around to it

3

: to go from place to place

4

: to become known

word got around