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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sidestep
And the best way to sidestep that is by picking a pair of socks made from a moisture-wicking blend—ideally a combination of merino wool (at least 50 percent) and synthetic materials.
—
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Advertisement As such, the People’s Party was forced to sidestep this keystone issue in its latest campaign.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
The other would further expand last year’s cooperation restrictions bill — including with provisions aimed at Polis, who sought to sidestep the law last year and comply with an ICE subpoena.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
The companies sidestep the high cost associated with many name-brand drugs by using compounding pharmacies to offer cheaper, nearly identical versions of the medications.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Jonathan Thompson, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
Advertisement As such, the People’s Party was forced to sidestep this keystone issue in its latest campaign.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 Feb. 2026
The other would further expand last year’s cooperation restrictions bill — including with provisions aimed at Polis, who sought to sidestep the law last year and comply with an ICE subpoena.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
The companies sidestep the high cost associated with many name-brand drugs by using compounding pharmacies to offer cheaper, nearly identical versions of the medications.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
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Moscow is at the mercy of an American president who circumvents traditional channels of power and obliterates the constraints that once regulated their use.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Republican state lawmakers opposed the measure, saying the Legislature was circumventing its process and abandoning transparency and accountability in order to funnel tax dollars to a political ally.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And the desk chairs weave a story of Nevis, adorned with nods to its lush flora and playful green vervet monkeys, the iconic ambassadors of the island.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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The plot weaves together elements of romance, family drama and feminist struggle against the backdrop of a space walk gone terribly awry.—
Brianne Kane,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Avian influenza continues to cause significant mortality in wild birds, prompting the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to recommend avoiding contact with wild birds.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
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During warmer months, when the path is crowded with tourists in leisure mode, anyone who walks with a purpose should avoid the Bridge at all costs.—
Katie James Watkinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Across the world’s six biomes, Roar league players are bona fide icons, selling out arenas and ducking the paparazzi.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
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And Wolf doesn’t duck that reality.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Bottega Veneta’s perfume holder makes sure your travel-sized scent never ever rolls around at the bottom of your bag, evading your grip hand again.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
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Kids use a variety of methods to evade age rules by giving fraudulent information.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Not Carolyn artfully dodging the drug allegations!—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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The right dealer won't rush you, hide fees or dodge questions about delivery and buybacks, which can make all the difference between a smart purchase and an expensive lesson.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Blogs, tweets, and podcasts bypass traditional gatekeepers, bringing a wider array of voices into literary spaces that once seemed impenetrable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, the permacrisis in the economy, which endured despite Caracas’ introduction of a national crypto currency, the Petro, to bypass US sanctions, or the central bank’s removal of five zeros from the national currency, the Bolivar, to subdue hyperinflation.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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