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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
By sidestepping the fragile transfer process and enabling direct fabrication on liquid, Xu’s method could transform how scientists design lightweight, adaptable technologies across multiple fields.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Even as the calendar flipped to September and the clinch appeared obvious, the idea of October was sidestepped.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
The complaint argues that Uber's classification of drivers as independent contractors allows the company to sidestep the benefits like overtime and vehicle maintenance costs and oversight required for traditional employees.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
Healey’s attempt to sidestep, and even downplay, the debate over the state flag could be another notch in the moderate column.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
Even as the calendar flipped to September and the clinch appeared obvious, the idea of October was sidestepped.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025
The complaint argues that Uber's classification of drivers as independent contractors allows the company to sidestep the benefits like overtime and vehicle maintenance costs and oversight required for traditional employees.
—Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Sep. 2025
Healey’s attempt to sidestep, and even downplay, the debate over the state flag could be another notch in the moderate column.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
-
The federal government argued that the lower courts were circumventing the power of the justices and improperly limiting the authority of the Department of Homeland Security.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Tom Worthington, from the Australian National University’s School of Computing, said circumventing a shutdown that appeared to have been ordered by the country’s Taliban leader would be risky for ordinary Afghans.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Bold and deeply human, Punch is initially a bit slow on the wind up, but its stellar cast help weave together an almost unbelievable story of compassion and empathy in its second act that left many theatergoers sniffling in their seats.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The Chamber praised the chefs’ creativity in weaving authentic Italian dishes with seasonal California flavors.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Engelbert said Friday that the league and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association continue to meet and negotiate with the hopes of avoiding a work stoppage.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ernie Clement homered early, forced to duck into the clubhouse to calm his surging heart after the trip around the bases.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
But Jane ducked under his hands and moved forward to the cage, a distance of about six feet.—
Ron Arias,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Slimy Lunch Meats Lunch meats are one of those things that often evade clean-outs.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But when the Coast Guard approached on a 45-foot response boat, authorities said, the cuddy cabin boat began racing south to evade arrest.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Norvell didn’t dodge the issue.—
D’Joumbarey A. Moreau,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Advertisement Unlike Ayatollah Khamenei, the future leaders of Iran will not be able to dodge global standards forever.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In that window, developers filed 25 builder’s remedy applications (22 of which are still in process)—projects that can bypass local zoning.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The deep-water port will allow large Chinese cargo and energy ships to bypass the Strait of Malacca, the narrow waterway between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore through which China conducts two-thirds of its maritime trade and imports 80 percent of its oil.—
Dan Swift,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share