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
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
Second, structure it in familiar legal language so that supervisors recognize it as a security or other traditional instrument, and only then represent it in tokens; this approach sidesteps unproductive security-versus-utility debates while ensuring that investor protections remain intact.
—Juan Arroyo, Forbes.com, 9 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
Tatum sidesteps a question about whether joining Marvel now — at a moment when many industry observers think the brand is past its peak — made sense.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
This is mission creep in action—by breaking the police state’s hostile takeover of the country and our Constitution into a series off incremental moves, the administration sidesteps the broad public backlash that a single, sweeping declaration of martial law would provoke.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
However, critics argue that the project sidesteps the real crisis facing New York City.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
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
Second, structure it in familiar legal language so that supervisors recognize it as a security or other traditional instrument, and only then represent it in tokens; this approach sidesteps unproductive security-versus-utility debates while ensuring that investor protections remain intact.
—Juan Arroyo, Forbes.com, 9 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
Tatum sidesteps a question about whether joining Marvel now — at a moment when many industry observers think the brand is past its peak — made sense.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 2 Sep. 2025
This is mission creep in action—by breaking the police state’s hostile takeover of the country and our Constitution into a series off incremental moves, the administration sidesteps the broad public backlash that a single, sweeping declaration of martial law would provoke.
—John Whitehead, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
However, critics argue that the project sidesteps the real crisis facing New York City.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidesteps
Verb
-
This gambit circumvents the notorious way that measurements destroy quantumness.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
1 Oct. 2025
-
But the Free Speech Coalition said companies might still be liable if a user in a state requiring age verification circumvents geographic targeting with a VPN.—
Jasmine Mithani,
Them.,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Aster weaves an inescapable nightmare out of sunshine, blindingly white fabrics, and garlands of flowers.—
Dennis Perkins,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
His work weaves together science, ancient training and healing systems, and the fighting arts to examine how systems — whether human bodies or family enterprises — fracture under pressure or transform because of it.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With the sight mounted in the middle of the receiver, there’s no way for the shooter to get bit by the optic, and the unlimited eye relief avoids the frustration of trying to align the eye with a scope.—
The Editors,
Outdoor Life,
30 Oct. 2025
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Komasa avoids the curse of many foreign directors making english language debuts and seems comfortable in this milieu.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On the transgender issue, Earle-Sears has attacked Spanberger over the inclusion of transgender-identifying biological males in women’s sports, restrooms, and locker rooms as the Democratic candidate dodges the subject and says the issue should be handled locally.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Stacey, in true Rusch fashion, dodges the question.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The rest of the song fails to answer these questions and evades reference to anything else internet-y, focusing instead on litigating receipts and affairs.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Neither Father Burke or Sister Irene realize it at the end of the movie, but Valak evades banishment by possessing Frenchie.—
Julie Tremaine,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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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Trump’s approach, however, bypasses local consent, prompting lawsuits from Illinois and Oregon officials who argue the move is unconstitutional and escalates tensions unnecessarily.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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This bypasses the current path of diagnosis, where symptoms are evaluated and a host of blood tests are performed to rule out other conditions such as thyroid problems or anemia.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Continue reading … LIZ PEEK – AI layoffs could spark a socialist surge if America ignores the warning signs.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Slashing aid for Colombia ignores the heart of the issue, said Idler.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidesteps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidesteps. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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