circumvent
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to go around or bypass.
to circumvent the lake;
to circumvent the real issues.
-
to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting.
He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements.
-
to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap.
to circumvent a body of enemy troops.
verb
-
to evade or go around
-
to outwit
-
to encircle (an enemy) so as to intercept or capture
Other Word Forms
- circumventer noun
- circumvention noun
- circumventive adjective
- circumventor noun
- uncircumvented adjective
Etymology
Origin of circumvent
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Along with Sony, Universal is suing the company, claiming it ripped copyrighted music from YouTube by circumventing YouTube’s encryption methods designed to block such actions.
Experts say they are being used to circumvent sanctions placed on Iran's Revolutionary Guards as well as a financial safe haven by civilians hit by soaring inflation.
From Barron's
Some campaigners and experts have offered their support for a ban, but others have warned the restrictions could be circumvented or push children to darker corners of the internet.
From BBC
The trend of "agentic AI" means the advent of systems that can "act autonomously, make decisions, and even circumvent defensive mechanisms," according to Kreuzer.
From Barron's
Other experts are more sceptical, warning such restrictions could be easily circumvented or could push children to darker corners of the internet.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
