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
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
According to the traditional view, the line fixed the country’s defenses along its border with Germany and Italy, leaving France unable to defend itself when the Germans circumvented the fortifications and invaded through Belgium.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The man reportedly circumvented barriers that surround the altar, climbed the steps and urinated on the holy structure.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Had to wrap their minds around the bombshell from podcaster/investigative reporter Pablo Torre laying out allegations that team owner Steve Ballmer might have circumvented NBA salary cap rules by funding a $28 million no-show endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
An old Los Angeles Clippers tweet has resurfaced and gone viral following Pablo Torre's report that Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer reportedly circumvented the NBA's salary cap.
—Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Viridis circumvented the rules.
—Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 20 Aug. 2025
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
According to the traditional view, the line fixed the country’s defenses along its border with Germany and Italy, leaving France unable to defend itself when the Germans circumvented the fortifications and invaded through Belgium.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The man reportedly circumvented barriers that surround the altar, climbed the steps and urinated on the holy structure.
—Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
Had to wrap their minds around the bombshell from podcaster/investigative reporter Pablo Torre laying out allegations that team owner Steve Ballmer might have circumvented NBA salary cap rules by funding a $28 million no-show endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
An old Los Angeles Clippers tweet has resurfaced and gone viral following Pablo Torre's report that Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer reportedly circumvented the NBA's salary cap.
—Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Viridis circumvented the rules.
—Adrienne Roberts, Freep.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvented
Verb
-
Harbaugh bypassed him twice for the defensive coordinator job, but there was a sense by the Ravens that he’s even better suited to be an NFL head coach because of his ability to lead, communicate and command a room.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Institutions were obstacles to be blamed or bypassed.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Last night’s premiere marked Hadid’s first major red carpet moment of 2026, having avoided any awards ceremony or glitzy gala so far.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Crocker-Johnson avoided early foul trouble and led all scorers with 10 points as Minnesota shot 56% from the field.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The sets built by Fisk traversed New York City and required the funding of a midbudget studio film (this is reportedly the most expensive production in A24’s history).—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Jan. 2026
-
This family had traversed the jungle of the notorious Darien Gap with newborn Ashley, fleeing Ecuador to follow their dream of a safer life in America.—
Carol Guzy,
Miami Herald,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Ravens would find the endzone once again with nine minutes left in regulation after Lamar Jackson evaded heavy pressure from Pittsburgh's front seven to find Zay Flowers for a 50-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead, 17-13.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Out-of-state businesses that evaded city taxes by hiding city business income.—
Randall Fox,
New York Daily News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
None Created from debris streams left behind by Comet Thatcher (which last circled the sun in 1861), the Lyrid meteor shower averages between 10 to 20 fireballs per hour.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Cassidy pointed to a December game in Columbus when defenseman Brayden McNabb slid down from the point as Marner circled up to the top.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Ramírez, who was supposed to be studying chemistry and physics, ignored such strictures.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The supermassive black hole’s forces are unfathomably strong, but the influences of the giant galaxy cluster around it can’t be ignored either.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some thought the mystery bore a direct relation to the green tangle that tightly encircled the two dozen shacks balanced precariously between the rain forest and the yellowish waters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
While encircled outside his locker Saturday, disappointed in the result but proud of his team’s effort, Coker answered questions about his career game.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The second employee escaped, but Partida was trapped inside, per the outlet.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The Los Angeles Rams narrowly escaped defeat against the Carolina Panthers in the wild-card round and are favored on the road against the Chicago Bears.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumvented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumvented. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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