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
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Recent Examples of sidestepped
The suit alleges that members sidestepped state transparency laws by secretly touring a Dallas data center just days before a key vote in Granbury.
—
Matthew Davisson, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Leavitt sidestepped questions about who currently controls the oil route.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
She was asked about the incident on Saturday, and sidestepped the question.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Courts, however, have consistently rejected or sidestepped those 14th Amendment claims over the past quarter century, while almost uniformly upholding the policy interpretation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Thanks to its modular and distinctly unmilitary design, the U-2 fit the bill and sidestepped the Air Force's objections when the command of the operation went to the CIA.
—David Szondy
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard sidestepped questions during the public portion of the Senate worldwide threats hearing about reports that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
In the interview, Zhao also sidestepped a question about the how much screen time Gellar had in the pilot.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
What Cruz excluded was that Vance sidestepped the question without pushing back.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Matthew Davisson, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Leavitt sidestepped questions about who currently controls the oil route.
—Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
She was asked about the incident on Saturday, and sidestepped the question.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Courts, however, have consistently rejected or sidestepped those 14th Amendment claims over the past quarter century, while almost uniformly upholding the policy interpretation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Thanks to its modular and distinctly unmilitary design, the U-2 fit the bill and sidestepped the Air Force's objections when the command of the operation went to the CIA.
—David Szondy
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard sidestepped questions during the public portion of the Senate worldwide threats hearing about reports that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 18 Mar. 2026
In the interview, Zhao also sidestepped a question about the how much screen time Gellar had in the pilot.
—Kate Aurthur, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
What Cruz excluded was that Vance sidestepped the question without pushing back.
—Joseph Strauss, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestepped
Verb
-
The Legislature has circumvented the ban by making K-12 vouchers available to students instead of funding private schools directly.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But Bateman circumvented authorities by often marrying the mothers of his young wives.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Of the five live roaches spotted, one was crawling on a handwash sink inside the kitchen and two ducked under a coffee machine nearby.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Republicans broadly supported the administration's military action in Iran, but most GOP incumbents in competitive races have noticeably ducked addressing rising gas prices while defending the war itself.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The deficit Gloria had to close increased from $118 million to $146 million this spring because of some new spending that couldn’t be avoided, aides to the mayor said.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
While the broad outlines are fairly clear, dogma should be avoided when dealing with the various types of gladiators.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Redick said watching McIlroy this time around, compared to his first Masters victory last year after the championship had evaded him time and again, was a different experience.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The suspect had evaded law enforcement for more than an hour, at times stopping, after deputies from the Jurupa Valley station tried to make a traffic stop, according to the Sheriff’s Department .—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, the Royals appear to have dodged an injury scare.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Sugano dodged major danger with two outs in the fifth.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The motel was once part of a thriving corridor between Stockton and Sacramento before it was bypassed by Highway 99.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The 130-foot bridge, built in 1923, carried Route 66 motorists over Brush Creek until it was bypassed by the interstate in the 1960s.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But documents released by the government in March, after being forced to by Parliament, showed Starmer ignored red flags raised by his staff about the appointment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
America’s $39 trillion national debt has become a familiar political football—batted around in budget negotiations, invoked at congressional hearings, and largely ignored between elections.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sidestepped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestepped. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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