sidestep
verb
side·step
ˈsīd-ˌstep 
sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps
2
: to move out of the way of : avoid
sidestep a blow
sidestepper
noun
Examples of sidestep in a Sentence
She sidestepped the reporter's question.
They're sidestepping the real issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
The old guard has lost control, and maybe vision, and the result is more candidates willing to sidestep seniority and a wait-your-turn mentality to try their luck — especially younger progressives.
—
Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
As noted by Cooke, the STS-51 space shuttle Discovery mission was delayed in 1993 to avoid the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, and an uncrewed science mission out of Vandenberg Space Force Base was delayed in 2000 to sidestep a Leonid meteor shower outburst.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 June 2026
The community’s counterargument for full draft classes is that after several Dynasty seasons every college roster becomes CPU-generated, which should sidestep the licensing issue.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Republicans have been moving ahead with their plan on their own through the budget reconciliation process, which sidesteps the 60-vote threshold required to advance most legislation.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
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Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
As noted by Cooke, the STS-51 space shuttle Discovery mission was delayed in 1993 to avoid the peak of the Perseid meteor shower, and an uncrewed science mission out of Vandenberg Space Force Base was delayed in 2000 to sidestep a Leonid meteor shower outburst.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 7 June 2026
The community’s counterargument for full draft classes is that after several Dynasty seasons every college roster becomes CPU-generated, which should sidestep the licensing issue.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Republicans have been moving ahead with their plan on their own through the budget reconciliation process, which sidesteps the 60-vote threshold required to advance most legislation.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidestep. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sidestep
verb
side·step
-ˌstep
1
: to take a step to the side
2
: to avoid by a step to the side
sidestep a blow
3
: to avoid answering or dealing with
sidestep a question
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