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