SHORTCUT Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

shortcut 1 of 2

verb

Definition of shortcut

as in to circumvent

to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness are you sure there's no way to shortcut the entrance requirements?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shortcut

2 of 2

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 shortcut

Verb

An agency that shortcuts training is an agency prone to lethal errors. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026 The remote even has shortcut buttons that take you directly to streaming services. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2026

Noun

It is built the same way that the figure skater builds a routine or the running back learns to explode through a crack in the line—repetition after repetition, failure after failure, with no shortcut available and no machine that can stand in. — Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 Startup biotech firms hope Montana will serve as their shortcut around the FDA’s costly and extensive drug development process. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortcut

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortcut

Verb

Whether or not Hal was right to entice Zoe (upon whose shoulders the carnage ultimately falls), his decision to circumvent the Guardians’ chain of command is what ultimately leads to countless deaths and his imprisonment for reckless endangerment.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
Fragmentation has allowed many powerful figures to get their message across by circumventing traditional media outlets whose questions many CEOs and politicians don’t want to answer.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

The priority status allows developers to bypass local regulatory plans, according to Soóki-Tóth.

— Lucy Handley, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
In particular, both Russia and Iran have repeatedly flagged Starlink as a major threat since it's been aiding Ukraine and helping local Iranians bypass internet censorship.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of bypass

Noun

The South Asian country meets nearly 85% of its fuel needs via imports, with the Strait of Hormuz being a key supply route before the war.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
The route is expected to come into service next summer, albeit using slower trains that won’t cover the planned 316 miles.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of route

Verb

Expecting heavy traffic on the site, the archive has outsourced the database to external servers to avoid overloading its own.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
The people familiar with the discussions spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution from the administration.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of avoid

Noun

Russian assaults since Thursday have forced the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv's six road bridges, suspending traffic and causing tailbacks in the Ukrainian capital.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Chinese, Russian troops train together The PLA contingent traveled to Russia by road, rail and air and participated in the preparatory phase alongside forces from Russia, Belarus, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of road

Verb

Yet Iran’s regime has developed sophisticated networks to combat and evade sanctions.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Young rolled to his right, evading Aidan Hutchinson’s pressure, and threw a perfect pass along the sideline in which McMillan stretched his arms and hauled in the catch using all 6-foot-4 of him, his toes to his fingertips.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of evade

Noun

This network, which comprises 14% of city streets where 75% of crashes occur, was updated in the new Vision Zero action plan.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The interiors lean soft with warm textures and plenty of natural light, while rooms (despite being near a busy shopping street) are designed to keep you peaceful and comfortable.

— Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of street

Browse Nearby Words

shortcomings

shortcut

shortcuts

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Style

“Shortcut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortcut. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shortcut

verb

noun

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