1
as in circumventing
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bypassing
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Recent Examples of sidestepping
Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
There’s no sidestepping this directive.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Rather than sidestepping conflict, relational leaders approach it as an opportunity for growth, holding space for constructive dialogue and focusing on commonalities rather than differences.
—Jen Croneberger, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Rather than set itself up for a losing battle of expectations against those stores, Amazon is simply sidestepping it.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
After sidestepping any possibility of Jones triggering a $23 million injury guarantee by benching the starter, the Giants are giving DeVito another audition in the nation’s biggest media market—which includes a Thanksgiving clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
If not, sidestepping the debate is probably the sensible path.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Noun
This enables organizations to centralize control while sidestepping many of the risks associated with DIY pipelines.
—Taylor Brown, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
There’s no sidestepping this directive.
—Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
Rather than sidestepping conflict, relational leaders approach it as an opportunity for growth, holding space for constructive dialogue and focusing on commonalities rather than differences.
—Jen Croneberger, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Rather than set itself up for a losing battle of expectations against those stores, Amazon is simply sidestepping it.
—Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
After sidestepping any possibility of Jones triggering a $23 million injury guarantee by benching the starter, the Giants are giving DeVito another audition in the nation’s biggest media market—which includes a Thanksgiving clash with the Dallas Cowboys.
—Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 20 Nov. 2024
If not, sidestepping the debate is probably the sensible path.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestepping
Verb
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As a result, terrorists and rogue states now have a harder time circumventing conventional financial controls.—
Henry Farrell,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
-
On December 11, the European Union approved its 15th sanctions package against the Kremlin, targeting entities within Russia and third-party nations that facilitate upgraded military and technological capabilities by circumventing restrictions.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes,
13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Which only underscores the importance of drafting well and avoiding the need to fill holes through free agency.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
14 Mar. 2025
-
His offseason of work at the position centered around avoiding that happening again.—
Fabian Ardaya,
The Athletic,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Craft is the connective tissue of our history, weaving itself through each iteration and enabling new players to interpret it in novel ways.—
Bill Connolly,
Rolling Stone,
30 Dec. 2024
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But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
All the moral skirting of the issues at hand felt so rich.—
Dwyer Murphy
June 6,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
-
Hinson said the skirting of tariffs undermined an Illinois auto company’s business, forcing it to lay off a quarter of its workforce.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
-
The driver was arrested on charges of unlawful gun possession and evading police and booked at the Sacramento County Juvenile Hall.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Chau paid local fishermen to take him near North Sentinel Island, evading the exclusion zone.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To save cash and get under the skin of the capital, Athens, while dodging peak-season crowds, consider a winter trip.—
Helen Iatrou,
AFAR Media,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The Nosferatu actor has been masterfully dodging questions about the franchise since.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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FedEx — The stock gained more than 1% after Jefferies upgraded FedEx to buy from hold, saying investors are ignoring the cost-cutting efforts at the packing and shipping company that will continue to drive earnings growth regardless of the macroeconomic challenges.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
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Yet there’s no ignoring the fact that the Rockies would’ve loved to have Brito penciled in as their second baseman this year.—
Daniel R. Epstein,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidestepping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestepping. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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