First Known Use: 1539
Dictionary
circumvent
verb cir·cum·vent \ˌsər-kəm-ˈvent\
: to avoid being stopped by (something, such as a law or rule) : to get around (something) in a clever and sometimes dishonest way
Full Definition of CIRCUMVENT
transitive verb
2
: to manage to get around especially by ingenuity or stratagem <the setup circumvented the red tape — Lynne McTaggart>
— cir·cum·ven·tion \-ˈven(t)-shən\ noun
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Examples of CIRCUMVENT
- Los Angeles was the beachhead for the sushi invasion, attracting many Japanese chefs eager to make their fortunes and to circumvent the grueling 10-year apprenticeship required in their homeland. —Jay McInerney, New York Times Book Review, 10 June 2007
- … Rondon and Lyra paddled to the right side, where they found a channel that circumvented the worst part of the rapids. —Candice Millard, The River of Doubt, 2005
- His appreciation of this finer side of life is circumvented by a cynicism that he tells me is common to Eastern Europeans. —Lynne Tillman, Motion Sickness, 1991
- The thirty-six-hour workweek established by the garment-industry code was circumvented by having the workers punch out at five P.M., leave by the back door (their usual entrance), then return by the front door and work until eleven P.M. without punching the clock. —Melissa Hield, Speaking For Ourselves, (1977) 1984
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Origin of CIRCUMVENT
Latin circumventus, past participle of circumvenire, from circum- + venire to come — more at come
Related to CIRCUMVENT
Rhymes with CIRCUMVENT
accident, aliment, Blaenau Gwent, compartment, complement, compliment, confident, devilment, diffident, discontent, document, evident, heaven-sent, implement, incident, instrument, Jack-a-Lent, malcontent, nonevent, Occident, ornament, orient, provident, regiment, reinvent, represent, re-present, resident, Saint-Laurent, sediment, self-content, subsequent, supplement
CIRCUMVENT Defined for Kids
circumvent
verb cir·cum·vent \ˌsər-kəm-ˈvent\
cir·cum·vent·edcir·cum·vent·ing
Definition of CIRCUMVENT for Kids
: to avoid the force or effect of by cleverness <They tried to circumvent the rules.>
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