SIDESTEP Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

sidestep

verb

ˈsīd-ˌstep

Definition of sidestep

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to weave

to move suddenly aside or to and fro the startled spectator sidestepped away from the oncoming ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 sidestep This was no grilling, though, as the Italian set out his thoughts on the new job and sidestepped any tricky questions with the aid of a wide smile. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 July 2026 This completely sidesteps current debates plaguing Medicare Part B — namely, rapidly mounting medication spending has driven higher premiums and out-of-pocket payments for beneficiaries. — Pooja Yerramilli, STAT, 24 July 2026 Content creators and drone enthusiasts who thought that DJI had figured out how to sidestep its position on the FCC Covered List will have to think again. — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 21 July 2026 Yet Jackson opened his first general election rally with a 19-minute speech that focused on his opponent and sidestepped any mention of Trump at all. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sidestep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep

Verb

The new cap would then presumably include many of the third-party name, image, likeness deals that circumvent the current cap — many arranged by schools' multimedia rights groups.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
There has been an ongoing war between some employees and companies to circumvent the intent of return-to-office mandates.

— Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

And throughout their exchange, Paul weaved in his analysis of Fauci’s actions to frame the one-sided conversation his way.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
The podcast, which launched in 2025, focuses on a single sad track as a means for artists to weave personal narratives.

— Cathy Applefeld Olson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

This basic primer avoids specific military tactics, instead offering general advice for non-military personnel.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
Saudi Arabia is getting pulled further into the Middle East conflict, conducting joint strikes with the US against Iraq this week – despite the kingdom having spent months trying to avoid deeper involvement.

— Salma Arafa, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

To pretend otherwise, and to accuse everyone who points to these difficult trade-offs of bad faith, is to duck a confrontation with the deepest problems of politics and policy.

— Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
By contrast with physical products, policymakers now tend to duck difficult conversations about what to do with addictive services or experiences like gambling and video games.

— Jonathan Caulkins, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of duck

Verb

For years, physicists have dreamed of optical chips where light can race around corners and dodge defects without losing information.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Throughout the day, teenagers would dash onto the beach, dodging officers before diving back into the water.

— Kerry Breen, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of dodge

Verb

Verify the source of every installer and stop when the instructions ask you to bypass a warning.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
With bots already making up over half of internet traffic, businesses failing to update will be bypassed, losing customers who increasingly send software to interact online.

— Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026