circumvent

[ sur-kuhm-vent, sur-kuhm-vent ]

verb (used with object)

1. to go around or bypass:

   to circumvent the lake;

   to circumvent the real issues.

2. to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting:

   He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements.

   Synonyms: outwit, evade, elude, escape

3. to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap:

   to circumvent a body of enemy troops.

   Synonyms: ensnare, encircle

circumvent

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈvɛnt /

verb

1. to evade or go around
2. to outwit
3. to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture

Derived Forms

• ˌcircumˈventive, adjective
• ˌcircumˈvention, noun
• ˌcircumˈventer, noun

Other Words From

• cir·cum·vent·er cir·cum·ven·tor noun
• cir·cum·ven·tion noun
• cir·cum·ven·tive adjective
• un·cir·cum·vent·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumvent¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin circumventus (past participle of circumvenīre “to come around, surround, oppress, defraud”), equivalent to circum- circum- + ven(īre) “to come” + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumvent¹

C15: from Latin circumvenīre, from circum- + venīre to come

Example Sentences

He angered the officials whom he circumvented to fund his work.

From Salon

Governments are dismantling encampments — and some are willing to use the notwithstanding clause to circumvent court rulings on their actions — as well as banning supervised drug consumption sites near day-care centres and schools.

From Salon

Past presidents have employed this method liberally, often as a way of circumventing political divides that would slow nominations.

From BBC

The most appealing part about this is that with these designations you can circumvent the often lengthy and cumbersome probate process.

From Salon

Previous attempts at restricting access, including by the European Union, have largely failed or found the implementation challenging given that there are tools which can circumvent age-verification requirements.

From BBC

Related Words

• avoid
• bypass
• deceive
• evade
• prevent
• sidestep
• skirt
• stymie
• thwart