1
as in circumvented
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 sidestepped
Bell sidestepped whether the plaintiffs will prevail in the case.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Some are pointing at Turkey, which allegedly sidestepped the Astana peace process and went behind Russia’s back to sponsor the HTS rebel offensive that overran Damascus last weekend.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris hardly ever addressed the issue during her campaign and sidestepped questions about her past positions trans inclusion in various interviews.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
Still, the board has historically sidestepped hot-button political issues and maintained its low-key politicking.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024
When asked for the measuring stick of a lawful election, Lake sidestepped the matter and instead attacked the media.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
The bump stocks ruling The reason is that, on that day, the justices sidestepped discussion of the law’s purpose.
—Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
That was kind of completely sidestepped.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024
The overwhelming concern—about corruption—was not sidestepped either.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2024
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Dec. 2024
Some are pointing at Turkey, which allegedly sidestepped the Astana peace process and went behind Russia’s back to sponsor the HTS rebel offensive that overran Damascus last weekend.
—Fred Weir, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Dec. 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris hardly ever addressed the issue during her campaign and sidestepped questions about her past positions trans inclusion in various interviews.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
Still, the board has historically sidestepped hot-button political issues and maintained its low-key politicking.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024
When asked for the measuring stick of a lawful election, Lake sidestepped the matter and instead attacked the media.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024
The bump stocks ruling The reason is that, on that day, the justices sidestepped discussion of the law’s purpose.
—Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024
That was kind of completely sidestepped.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Oct. 2024
The overwhelming concern—about corruption—was not sidestepped either.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestepped
Verb
-
This is often circumvented by committees such as the NRSC, which can take in up to $578,200 per person per election.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Dec. 2024
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In all of these scenarios, the tax liability can be circumvented by moving that position to a DAF.—
Jonathan I. Shenkman,
Forbes,
29 Nov. 2024
Verb
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At best, this results in superficial engagement—teams may appear aligned on the surface but lack genuine buy-in as difficult conversations are avoided.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
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And who has avoided injuries while the rest of the squad have struggled?—
Jacob Tanswell,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But in life James resisted metaphor and evaded attention.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
23 Mar. 2025
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DeAngelo evaded prosecution for years while committing a string of murders and rapes across the Golden State between 1974 and 1986, including two murders and nine kidnappings in Sacramento County alone.—
Lia Russell,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Wolverines came in hot after winning the Big Ten tourney but narrowly dodged UC San Diego in a 3-point thriller on Thursday.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
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The historic plan would also be significant for the European Union, with investors hopeful the spending will lift a stagnant German economy that narrowly dodged a recession through 2023 and 2024, and also benefit the broader continent.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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His dominance is creating an air of intimidation that shouldn’t go ignored.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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Black electorate feeling ‘neglected and ignored’ Tensions within the party in Florida could be seen as early as April when President Joe Biden came to Tampa for an event.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sidestepped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestepped. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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