1
as in bypassed
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
2
as in avoided
to avoid by going around
circumvented the traffic jam by taking an alternate route
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in traversed
to travel completely around
most casual joggers will be able to circumvent the reservoir without too much of a strain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of circumvented
The defense also argued that the decision to seek the death penalty was political and circumvented the federal government's protocols.
—
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2026
The legislation targeting transgender Kansans was adopted after a series of remarkable procedural maneuvers that circumvented all public input on key provisions of the bill, including a ban on multi-occupancy unisex restrooms and other private spaces.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Bill Clinton circumvented political accountability by pardoning the financier Marc Rich, the ex-husband of an influential Democratic donor, on the last day of his presidency.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In 1940, Germany circumvented the Maginot Line by invading through Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to the north, ultimately defeating France within six weeks.
—Ivan Krastev, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
President Emeritus at Orange Coast College, Grant is in a class by himself, having sailed or rowed enough times to have circumvented the world more than once.
—Richard Dunn, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
In Washington, the president believes that might makes right, that the courts are simply speed bumps, not stop signs — that democracy is a nuisance to be circumvented.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
What happened this weekend circumvented all of that.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Torre revealed that the Los Angeles Clippers might have circumvented the NBA’s salary cap through Aspiration, a company with whom Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million and was a team sponsor.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Jan. 2026
The legislation targeting transgender Kansans was adopted after a series of remarkable procedural maneuvers that circumvented all public input on key provisions of the bill, including a ban on multi-occupancy unisex restrooms and other private spaces.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2026
Bill Clinton circumvented political accountability by pardoning the financier Marc Rich, the ex-husband of an influential Democratic donor, on the last day of his presidency.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In 1940, Germany circumvented the Maginot Line by invading through Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to the north, ultimately defeating France within six weeks.
—Ivan Krastev, Time, 21 Jan. 2026
President Emeritus at Orange Coast College, Grant is in a class by himself, having sailed or rowed enough times to have circumvented the world more than once.
—Richard Dunn, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026
In Washington, the president believes that might makes right, that the courts are simply speed bumps, not stop signs — that democracy is a nuisance to be circumvented.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
What happened this weekend circumvented all of that.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Torre revealed that the Los Angeles Clippers might have circumvented the NBA’s salary cap through Aspiration, a company with whom Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested $50 million and was a team sponsor.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvented
Verb
-
Boise bypassed the law in May 2025 by making the Pride flag and an organ donor flag official city flags.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The Heat bypassed Herro’s October extension window and face another in July.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Mavericks team doctor later confirmed that Davis avoided surgery to repair the damage.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Chapek had initially avoided wading into the discourse, taking a neutral position that became untenable after Iger drew a line in the sand.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As part of the demonstration, the G1 traversed a snowfield while autonomously tracing the outline of a Winter Olympics emblem measuring approximately 186 metres by 100 metres.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
-
But even across the EP’s brief 18 minutes, Hunt makes clear that there are still corners in this world ripe for discovery, mysterious doorways looming in the landscape, waiting to be traversed.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Deputies located and attempted to stop the vehicle a short time later, but the driver did not yield and recklessly evaded, and the pursuit was ultimately terminated in the interest of public safety.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The men, who knew each other from prison, evaded law enforcement for roughly 36 hours, driving north and then heading back down south through Montana before they were arrested in Twin Falls.—
Alex Brizee,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yet up and down the trunk, the tree was circled with new feathery foliage, vibrantly green and healthy.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Which neighborhood is being circled by ICE, which neighbor is being yanked from their house and needs observers documenting ASAP!—
Angela Pelster,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So, the fact that the Illinois fireworks ban is roundly ignored by Illinoisans is not a surprise to anyone, as the night skies prove on Independence Day.—
Brad Weisenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Ackerly says the lesson is simple but often ignored.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Within moments, a small crowd of counter-protesters encircled him.—
Ruby Cramer,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The young woman’s remains were found encircled by about 10 dingoes, Australia's native wild dogs, on the beach north of Maheno Wreck, Wide Bay District Inspector Paul Algie previously announced in a press conference.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That season’s squad, which had gone to the NIT three straight years, escaped the non-conference schedule with a record of 9-2.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The rescue came about after Jordan Turpin — who was 17 at the time — escaped from the home and told authorities about their captivity and abuse.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumvented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumvented. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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