circumvent
19 synonyms for circumvent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To find a way around an obstacle, rule, or difficulty rather than dealing with it directly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use circumvent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
circumvent the rules
circumvent a restriction
circumvent security
Etymology
From Latin circumvenire, "to come around" — circum ("around") plus venire ("to come").
Full origin of circumvent →Frequently asked questions
What does “circumvent” mean?
The word “circumvent” means to find a way around an obstacle, rule, or difficulty rather than dealing with it directly. In plain terms, to get around a rule, restriction, or problem cleverly, often implying some cunning.
How do you pronounce “circumvent”?
“Circumvent” is pronounced suh-kuhm-VEHNT (/səːkəmˈvɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “circumvent” in a sentence?
Here is “circumvent” used in a sentence: “The company circumvented the import tax by manufacturing locally.”
What part of speech is “circumvent”?
“Circumvent” is a verb.
Where does the word “circumvent” come from?
The word “circumvent” comes from Latin. From Latin circumvenire, "to come around" — circum ("around") plus venire ("to come").
Is “circumvent” a common word?
“Circumvent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
