1
as in circumvents
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 sidesteps
The celebration of global digital access conveniently sidesteps the question of Americans who may be left behind in this streaming future.
—
Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025
This eliminates extra weight and power consumption, helps keep costs down, and sidesteps the privacy concerns that proved to be one of the main sticking points for Google Glass.
—IEEE Spectrum, 13 Nov. 2025
Built around those calls — punctuated by Hassona’s own images — the film sidesteps the usual remove of war docs for something rawer and more intimate, the kind of testimony that has sparked emotional audience responses since Cannes and subsequent European outings.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
His company, Echo, sidesteps the problem, using not a chip with probes, but a thin film that sits on the brain without penetrating it.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The laser drill sidesteps both problems by keeping all instruments at the surface.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
But when explicitly asked about the verse and his thoughts on Jones’ comments, Nas completely sidesteps the latter.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The Democrat who venerates more government but sidesteps California’s failing public schools and crushing cost of living.
—John H Bolthouse, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
This new development, however, completely sidesteps that problem by abandoning conventional mechanics and using laser light for gear motion.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 19 Dec. 2025
This eliminates extra weight and power consumption, helps keep costs down, and sidesteps the privacy concerns that proved to be one of the main sticking points for Google Glass.
—IEEE Spectrum, 13 Nov. 2025
Built around those calls — punctuated by Hassona’s own images — the film sidesteps the usual remove of war docs for something rawer and more intimate, the kind of testimony that has sparked emotional audience responses since Cannes and subsequent European outings.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
His company, Echo, sidesteps the problem, using not a chip with probes, but a thin film that sits on the brain without penetrating it.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
The laser drill sidesteps both problems by keeping all instruments at the surface.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2025
But when explicitly asked about the verse and his thoughts on Jones’ comments, Nas completely sidesteps the latter.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The Democrat who venerates more government but sidesteps California’s failing public schools and crushing cost of living.
—John H Bolthouse, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
This new development, however, completely sidesteps that problem by abandoning conventional mechanics and using laser light for gear motion.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidesteps
Verb
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California’s redistricting measure temporarily circumvents the independent system previously used to draw congressional maps in an effort to combat Texas Republicans’ own redistricting move that could net the GOP up to five additional House seats in the next midterms.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
5 Nov. 2025
-
This gambit circumvents the notorious way that measurements destroy quantumness.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Susanne Hammel-Sawyer weaves a basket.—
Jeanette Marantos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
An undercurrent of nostalgia weaves throughout his 30-year discography.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Early prototypes shown at CES were assembled rapidly for demonstration, but Lumus says the underlying architecture avoids exotic materials.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Jérôme Sans, the exhibition’s curator, positioned the Cookie Factory as a site that deliberately avoids cultural isolation.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Continue reading … CROWN IN CHAOS – Andrew dodges police probe but King Charles’ Epstein ‘nightmare’ isn’t over.—
,
FOXNews.com,
18 Dec. 2025
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Flipping her hair and writhing around in pain and ecstasy, the singer dodges plates and cutlery that fly at her face while battling mysterious, paranormal forces that throw her around.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Experts who spoke to Flow Space are hopeful that these new approvals will provide the necessary tools to treat a disease that evades treatment by constantly mutating.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
16 Dec. 2025
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In the film, Sea-Based X-Band Radar detects a missile flying across the Pacific Ocean toward Chicago that later evades interception.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The sun ducks down and sets Conejo Mountain against warm pinks and purples, transforming the ridgeline into an epic silhouette.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
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Dignitaries would climb up Bab al Silsilah, a narrow limestone street that ducks under an arched gate.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In a statement to CNN Sports, Tennis Kenya said that Abdelkader had been admitted to the tournament as a wild card – essentially a tournament invitation that bypasses the need to qualify for the main draw of a tournament or earn a place through the rankings system.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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Building on earlier biochemical discoveries, researchers administered a CoQ10 precursor that bypasses the defective step in the energy-production pathway.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
Derek Lawrence,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Jan. 2026
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That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Don DeWitte,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sidesteps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidesteps. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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