1
as in bypasses
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
employees who try to circumvent the company's dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in avoids
to avoid by going around
circumvented the traffic jam by taking an alternate route
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in traverses
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 circumvents
California’s redistricting measure temporarily circumvents the independent system previously used to draw congressional maps in an effort to combat Texas Republicans’ own redistricting move that could net the GOP up to five additional House seats in the next midterms.
—
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
This gambit circumvents the notorious way that measurements destroy quantumness.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
But the Free Speech Coalition said companies might still be liable if a user in a state requiring age verification circumvents geographic targeting with a VPN.
—Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, this entire process circumvents the necessary regulatory and congressional oversight processes.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The Skydweller’s self-powering design circumvents this logistical constraint.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025
By rerouting vulnerable migrants to unfamiliar nations with little to no infrastructure for receiving refugees, the policy effectively circumvents long-standing international commitments to asylum seekers.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
More recently, researchers at SPINTEC, in Grenoble and researchers at ICN2 in Barcelona, proposed a different approach that circumvents this problem.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2018
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
This gambit circumvents the notorious way that measurements destroy quantumness.
—Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2025
But the Free Speech Coalition said companies might still be liable if a user in a state requiring age verification circumvents geographic targeting with a VPN.
—Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025
Unfortunately, this entire process circumvents the necessary regulatory and congressional oversight processes.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
The Skydweller’s self-powering design circumvents this logistical constraint.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025
By rerouting vulnerable migrants to unfamiliar nations with little to no infrastructure for receiving refugees, the policy effectively circumvents long-standing international commitments to asylum seekers.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2025
More recently, researchers at SPINTEC, in Grenoble and researchers at ICN2 in Barcelona, proposed a different approach that circumvents this problem.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for circumvents
Verb
-
In a statement to CNN Sports, Tennis Kenya said that Abdelkader had been admitted to the tournament as a wild card – essentially a tournament invitation that bypasses the need to qualify for the main draw of a tournament or earn a place through the rankings system.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Building on earlier biochemical discoveries, researchers administered a CoQ10 precursor that bypasses the defective step in the energy-production pathway.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The brand continues to use 100% chrome-free nappa leather, which avoids toxic chemicals used in leather production.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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Nwosu’s script likewise avoids pat female-bonding sentiments, attentive to the experiences and worldviews that can still separate women in a man’s world.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Sunset Limited, the railroad company’s southernmost route, traverses five states—Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The world’s highest waterfall cable climb traverses 1,476 vertical feet and offers three levels of challenge (Level 3 is worth it just for the helicopter ride back to the base from the top).—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Experts who spoke to Flow Space are hopeful that these new approvals will provide the necessary tools to treat a disease that evades treatment by constantly mutating.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Dec. 2025
-
In the film, Sea-Based X-Band Radar detects a missile flying across the Pacific Ocean toward Chicago that later evades interception.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Pisces February 19 – March 20 Soft encouragement circles your friendships and hopes.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
18 Jan. 2026
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For all the talk that circles the retail industry about AI’s promise, the fact is that Americans still fear job loss and replacement because of AI.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Jan. 2026
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That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Don DeWitte,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The trail encircles a large, ADA-accessible playground and also provides views of the South Bend skyline.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
4 Jan. 2026
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Many travelers choose to explore the area via the Ring of Kerry, the scenic drive that encircles the peninsula.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Unlike nitrogen, which easily escapes from soil into the air or groundwater, phosphorus sticks to soil particles.—
Dinesh Phuyal,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
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When air leaks through that shell, heated or cooled air escapes, and the HVAC system has to work harder to keep up.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Circumvents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/circumvents. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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