CIRCUMVENT Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

circumvent

verb

ˌsər-kəm-ˈvent

Definition of circumvent

as in to bypass

to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness employees who try to circumvent the company's dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to avoid

to avoid by going around circumvented the traffic jam by taking an alternate route

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to traverse

to travel completely around most casual joggers will be able to circumvent the reservoir without too much of a strain

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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 circumvent The case garnered national interest because Oregon's new law targets the loopholes large staffing firms have been employing to circumvent state corporate medicine laws. — Alex Olgin, NPR, 3 July 2026 The amendments would also give the commissioner power to demand information from third parties, including age assurance technology providers, to test claims made by platforms about how children continued to circumvent the ban. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 However, senior administration officials became worried that users might be able to circumvent Fable 5’s guardrails — though experts disagreed over the severity of the risk. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 July 2026 The primary issue for the NBA to decide is if the deal allowed the Clippers to circumvent league salary cap rules. — CBS News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for circumvent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvent

Verb

That waterway has taken on new significance since the start of the war, as Saudi Arabia now diverts millions of barrels of crude there to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
An industry-wide standard Microsoft invented to protect Windows, and later Linux, devices from firmware infections has been trivial to bypass for 13 of its 14 years of existence.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026

Definition of bypass

Verb

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms beat six opponents in the May Democratic primary for governor, winning 56% of the vote and avoiding a runoff.

— Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 16 July 2026
The House Energy and Commerce Committee is soon marking up healthcare price transparency legislation that could empower patients and employers with the upfront prices needed to avoid overcharges and choose affordable care.

— Vivian Ho, Washington Post, 16 July 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest level in weeks, with just 22 ships traversing the passage and some reportedly switching off their transponders to avoid detection, Bloomberg reported.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 July 2026
The ride traverses nearly 1,000 miles across Indiana over 13 days, stopping in communities to meet with survivors, those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty, and visit memorials and gravesites.

— Anna Ortiz, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026

Definition of traverse

Verb

Prosecutors alleged the companies disguised Chinese aluminum extrusions as pallets to evade antidumping and countervailing duties.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026
He was detained on August 8, 2025, and charged with DUI, evading arrest with a vehicle, and fleeing from police, according to ICE.

— Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of evade

Verb

Apollo Global Management is reportedly circling a roughly $3 billion investment tied to the Steinbrenner family’s holding company, which controls the Yankees along with minority stakes in AC Milan, New York City FC, and Legends Hospitality.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 July 2026
During the group stage, the team from tiny Curaçao, after a 7-1 loss to Germany, circled in prayer on the pitch.

— the Monitor’s Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026

Definition of circle

Verb

For Yasira Tejada, the changes represent meaningful progress after escaping an abusive relationship nine years ago.

— Steve Maugeri, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Astronomers had long suspected this unusual structure traced energetic electrons escaping along the Milky Way's magnetic field.

— Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

The suspect allegedly attempted to flee again by jumping fences and ignoring the officers’ commands to stop, but was apprehended and placed in custody.

— Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026
But aside from dispatching shotgun-toting police agents to keep an eye on them, Venezuelan authorities mostly ignored the protesters.

— John Otis, NPR, 16 July 2026

Definition of ignore

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“Circumvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumvent. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of circumvent

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