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

Relevance

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 The Marine Corps is also on track to meet its recruiting goal this year, according to officials, having largely sidestepped the deeper struggles facing the other services. — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026 In the rush to deploy AI, many companies sidestepped an analytically rigorous investment approach. — Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Analysts say a broad shift is underway, with Chinese companies becoming sources of technology and innovation that global businesses cannot easily sidestep. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026 Kazakhstan has played a key role helping Russia sidestep sanctions and channel investments from abroad. — Fred Weir, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sidestep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep

Verb

For a while, Michael believed that Leah would somehow try to circumvent the school’s vaccine requirements.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz remains in place, secondary sanctions are being tightened, and pressure is being increased on countries and financial networks that have allowed Tehran to circumvent previous restrictions.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of circumvent

Verb

In a women's cooperative in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, members weave wedding blankets, and at a workshop in Bagru in India, artisans pound block prints onto fabric.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Novotny recently created the look for Julia Fox, weaving chestnut tones through the deeper base for a soft, lived-in effect.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of weave

Verb

City officials asked people to avoid the downtown area where police are investigating the shooting.

— Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of avoid

Verb

People forced to duck TikTokers and TMZ don’t want to expose every aspect of their incomes and daily lives to strangers, then live somewhere where everyone knows everyone’s business.

— Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026
Paxton has so far failed to hold large campaign events and is ducking debates.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of duck

Verb

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on charges of felony evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety, obstructing or resisting a peace officer and driving under the influence of drugs, according to police.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Johnson has previously stated the Illinois constitution’s flat income tax rate evades the city’s wealth gap.

— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of evade

Verb

Roosts can be hard to access, and as these fleet flitters can also dodge nets, not to mention breezily detect them using their echolocation capabilities.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Edmunds then dodged a rusher to complete a 49-yard pass to Skylar Robinson to set up a 32-yard field goal Malachi Newmaster on the final play of the first half.

— Dan Albano, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of dodge

Verb

While not a common path for elite Japanese amateurs, bypassing the NPB draft would not be unprecedented.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Recent incidents, like OpenAI's models bypassing controls and Anthropic's models accessing real systems, underscore this threat.

— Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026