1
as in circumvented
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 sidestepped
By settling the case, Anthropic has sidestepped an existential risk to its business.
—
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Deaton sidestepped that argument on Thursday and touted the map as a better version of the state’s current congressional districts, which were approved in 2022.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump has sidestepped norms on central bank independence to openly criticize and threaten its top policymakers over their monetary policy decisions.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Witkoff sidestepped a direct question about the veracity of reporting suggesting Putin agreed to end the war if Ukraine ceded the entire Donbas region to Russia, including territory not currently held by Russia.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 17 Aug. 2025
At Thursday’s hearing, neither SpaceX nor US Space Force representatives showed up, likely because the military sidestepped the commission by classifying the Falcon 9 launches as a federal activity.
—PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2025
Wise sidestepped a question about whether Campbell’s arm length could be a detriment.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
OceanGate consistently sidestepped safety concerns in a bid to maximize profits, the investigation found.
—Melissa Chan, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Bell sidestepped whether the plaintiffs will prevail in the case.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
Deaton sidestepped that argument on Thursday and touted the map as a better version of the state’s current congressional districts, which were approved in 2022.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Trump has sidestepped norms on central bank independence to openly criticize and threaten its top policymakers over their monetary policy decisions.
—Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Witkoff sidestepped a direct question about the veracity of reporting suggesting Putin agreed to end the war if Ukraine ceded the entire Donbas region to Russia, including territory not currently held by Russia.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 17 Aug. 2025
At Thursday’s hearing, neither SpaceX nor US Space Force representatives showed up, likely because the military sidestepped the commission by classifying the Falcon 9 launches as a federal activity.
—PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2025
Wise sidestepped a question about whether Campbell’s arm length could be a detriment.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
OceanGate consistently sidestepped safety concerns in a bid to maximize profits, the investigation found.
—Melissa Chan, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Bell sidestepped whether the plaintiffs will prevail in the case.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestepped
Verb
-
The league could void the Clippers-Leonard contract and order the forfeiture of first-round picks, a penalty experienced by the Minnesota Timberwolves when they were found to have circumvented the cap to sign Joe Smith.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Had to wrap their minds around the bombshell from podcaster/investigative reporter Pablo Torre laying out allegations that team owner Steve Ballmer might have circumvented NBA salary cap rules by funding a $28 million no-show endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Videos circulating online showed the gruesome scene as Kirk slumped over, and people ducked to the ground before running away and huddling in nearby buildings.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Some instinctively ducked, covered their classmates or followed teachers’ directions.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Since taking office, Kennedy has mostly avoided even rhetorically linking specific environmental exposures to health concerns.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In fact, Iryna’s closest Ukrainian relatives have largely avoided the media since her death, due perhaps in part to a language barrier, but mainly because this combination of fresh horror and grief is too intense.—
Theoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Large swaths of eastern Colorado have evaded the drought plaguing most of the state west of 25.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Weaponized stubbornness Scoring is a straightforward concept, but success in this realm evaded Florida Saturday night.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The last is closest to the truth, manager Gavin Olivieri told The Athletic, as the original owners—both going through divorces—dodged calls from their ex-spouses back in the day.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The companies showing off their cases with a lighter white or silvery iPhone 17 Pro in product shots mostly dodged any embarrassment, as those are harder to distinguish from Apple’s actual silver color.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kiko mostly bypassed the Hawaiian islands with its fiercest winds, as so many storms have before, and will instead fade off into the Pacific Ocean over the vast western end of the island chain that remains a mystery to many.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Or will legacy systems and mindsets slow them down to the point at which they are bypassed by upstarts?—
Chris Perry,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The evening was slightly chaotic and quickly unsynchronized as the first dinner group, which included Sunisa Lee, Fabolous and more, ignored initial invitations to sit in lieu of sunset views of the East River from the 63rd floor balcony.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Mendoza ignored what her contract said.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidestepped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestepped. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share