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
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
Some are pointing at Turkey, which allegedly sidestepped the Astana peace process and went behind Russia’s back to sponsor the HTS rebel offensive that overran Damascus last weekend.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris hardly ever addressed the issue during her campaign and sidestepped questions about her past positions trans inclusion in various interviews.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
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
Some are pointing at Turkey, which allegedly sidestepped the Astana peace process and went behind Russia’s back to sponsor the HTS rebel offensive that overran Damascus last weekend.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris hardly ever addressed the issue during her campaign and sidestepped questions about her past positions trans inclusion in various interviews.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestepped
Verb
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An old Los Angeles Clippers tweet has resurfaced and gone viral following Pablo Torre's report that Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer reportedly circumvented the NBA's salary cap.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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Despite that, Democrats circumvented the rules, and called hearings for Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee for both the Senate and the Assembly for Tuesday morning, far less than the 24 hours required.—
Steven Choi,
Oc Register,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some instinctively ducked, covered their classmates or followed teachers’ directions.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The woman hid her face as the man ducked down.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Mamdani has taken a more aggressive approach than many traditional Democrats—who have historically championed incremental reform and avoided expansive tax policies targeting high-earners.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed support for a ban but has avoided weighing in on specific bills.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On first-and-15 in the same quarter, Milroe evaded pressure, kept his eyes downfield and threw an accurate ball on the move to White near the sideline for 25 yards.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
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The versatile slugger has been a perfect fit for the Yankees, but other teams could try to pry the former NL MVP away from New York with the long-term deal that has evaded him to this point.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
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While Arkansas has dodged any long-term injuries among key players thus far, ASU suffered a tough loss this week when ace running back Ja'Quez Cross went down in practice with what turned out to be an ACL tear.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
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Twins starter Simeon Woods Richardson dodged the bat while fielding the grounder, but then made a high throw to second and both runners were safe.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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March was the last time Congress was in this position, and at the time, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer threw his support behind a funding extension and bypassed a filibuster.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Like the clang of bells, the sound bypassed my ears and punched the air from my lungs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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According to a passenger who spotted her aboard the plane, the congressional representative had ignored a friendly greeting from the economy-cabin flier.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
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Sometimes, they’d be turned away, and other times, ignored.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidestepped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestepped. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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