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
At a talk at the Arkansas Attorney General’s office in Little Rock, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said that reclassifying contraband cellphones as unauthorized could sidestep the rule.
—
Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
Despite the glossy subject matter, Winocour neatly sidesteps clichés, instead searching for quiet moments that give the story emotional resonance.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 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
The second film would cover the rest of the King of Pop’s career, though its third act would likely sidestep the accusations Jackson faced.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
Despite the glossy subject matter, Winocour neatly sidesteps clichés, instead searching for quiet moments that give the story emotional resonance.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 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
The second film would cover the rest of the King of Pop’s career, though its third act would likely sidestep the accusations Jackson faced.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
-
When the system’s rigged against you, try to undermine it or circumvent it.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In response, Russia pivoted towards eastward to China again, signing the Power of Siberia Pipeline, and then accelerating the development of payment systems like Mir and System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) to circumvent Western financial systems.—
Earl Carr,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The museum also held workshops on weaving motankas (traditional Ukrainian rag dolls) and a blacksmithing festival.—
Yegor Mostovshikov,
The Dial,
9 Sep. 2025
-
On Water Expeditions The Hooghly River weaves through the Indian state of West Bengal from the Ganges, its parent river, to the sea, through a landscape lined with mustard fields and mango orchards.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Take extra caution when on the road or avoid driving if possible.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In theory, a hesitation such as this shows the ace -- the defender was not ready for your play and was not sure whether to duck or not.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Some instinctively ducked, covered their classmates or followed teachers’ directions.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
30 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The discovery adds a new dimension to understanding cancer and therapy resistance, where cells often evade treatment by shifting states.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
-
But Moscow has found ways to evade these.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
As a result, Apple can continue raking in billions of dollars from Google while also dodging what would have likely been a daunting task affecting Apple’s most important products, from the iPhone to the Mac and iPad.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mobile check-in allows guests to bypass the lobby and go straight to their rooms using the hotel’s app, if desired.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
If platforms don’t support how work actually gets done—like handoffs, lead qualification or follow-up timing—users will bypass them.—
Al Sefati,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share