1
as in to circumvent
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
the eager enlistee sidestepped the regulations by lying about his age
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Recent Examples of sidestep
In what’s shaping up to be a disruptive year for sports media, the NBA on Tuesday got out ahead of the field with a 2026 Finals schedule designed to sidestep a potentially massive World Cup match.
—
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Because of that, it’s been able to sidestep regulatory hurdles that utility companies usually face when bringing a new power plant online, according to Routhier.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Critics of the practice have long said the deals were a means of sidestepping antitrust scrutiny, since there is technically no acquisition for regulators to review.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026
In fairness, even Amorim sidestepped the barbs of Keane.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Because of that, it’s been able to sidestep regulatory hurdles that utility companies usually face when bringing a new power plant online, according to Routhier.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 18 Jan. 2026
Critics of the practice have long said the deals were a means of sidestepping antitrust scrutiny, since there is technically no acquisition for regulators to review.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026
In fairness, even Amorim sidestepped the barbs of Keane.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
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But that could be a mistake worth circumventing this January.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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The art of being human includes admitting mistakes, a feature developers are increasingly weaving into AI systems.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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For the first time, Colombian singer-songwriter Gusi and Guatemalan singer-songwriter Zelaya unite their talents, weaving together the vibrant spirit of their homelands in a song that celebrates love and the richness of life.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Research your rebooking options and alternative itineraries in advance, and take advantage of airlines' self-service tools to avoid long lines at airport agent desks or long hold times on the phone.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
25 Jan. 2026
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The system avoids long-term buildup while still reliably confirming that a pill was taken.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hundreds of attendees pushed through the crowds, weaving and ducking to find entrances to vendor exhibits.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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When the sun is just skimming across the horizon and ducking behind other peaks, all the heat that the sun baked into the snow and rocks during the day evaporates—fast.—
Outside,
Outside,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Davis faces three counts of first-degree assault and a single count each of second-degree manslaughter, evading responsibility involving a death, reckless driving and failure to drive in the proper lane.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
7 Jan. 2026
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Ashton Hill, 17, was charged with discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities, evading arrest, riot participation, possession of marijuana under two ounces in a drug-free zone and possession of CS PG2 under one gram.—
Sergio Candido,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Back then, America feared an armada of Soviet bombers laden with A-bombs barreling over the horizon, dodging our few anti-aircraft batteries, and dropping their deadly payloads on undefended American cities.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
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Dickey doesn’t believe Tullis-Joyce left to dodge a competition for the job.—
Steve Goldberg,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, as the substance is considered a supplement and not a medicine, formulations by manufacturers often bypass strict regulatory controls.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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In 2019, the same network obtained an additional 145 million euro contract for hemodialysis kits, with payment mechanisms reportedly linked to crude oil or fuel oil—allowing transactions to bypass conventional banking systems.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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