Synonyms of sidestepped

sidestepped

verb

past tense of sidestep

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

• circumvented
• avoided
• evaded
• bypassed
• ignored
• dodged
• skirted
• escaped
• disobeyed
• ducked
• got around
• shook
• shortcut
• eschewed
• beat
• shunned
• eluded
• disregarded
• prevented
• shirked
• flouted
• outflanked
• deflected
• parried
• averted
• diverted
• obviated
• end-ran
• warded (off)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• followed
• kept
• observed
• sought
• accepted
• complied (with)
• obeyed
• pursued
• embraced
• welcomed
• caught
• incurred
• contracted
• assented (to)
• courted
• acceded (to)
• acquiesced (to)

2

as in ducked

to move suddenly aside or to and fro

the startled spectator sidestepped away from the oncoming ball

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ducked
• weaved
• dodged
• zigzagged
• turned
• avoided
• evaded
• jinked
• slalomed
• escaped
• parried
• eluded
• slid
• deflected
• skirted
• shirked
• slipped

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sidestepped

To be decided Johnson has not officially declared his candidacy and has sidestepped questions about seeking reelection by saying he is focused on running Chicago. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

One Californian who may have already sidestepped that question? — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

This was no grilling, though, as the Italian set out his thoughts on the new job and sidestepped any tricky questions with the aid of a wide smile. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Bonta and the other state attorneys sidestepped the political landscape in making their lawsuit arguments. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026

Yet Jackson opened his first general election rally with a 19-minute speech that focused on his opponent and sidestepped any mention of Trump at all. — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 20 July 2026

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average sidestepped some of the market turmoil, thanks in part to UnitedHealth’s post-earnings gain. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 17 July 2026

As for Reflect Orbital, the company’s Eärendil-1 has for now sidestepped the concerns of its critics and could launch later this year. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026

Earlier this year, two cases sidestepped Section 230 to hold Meta and YouTube liable for harms against their users by focusing on the companies’ design choices. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 14 July 2026