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circumvention

circumvention

1 8.2
An action that avoids a rule or law by finding a clever way around it
  • noun
  • /sɜrˌkʌmˈvɛnʃən/
translation icon : elusión
  • The company's circumvention of safety regulations led to several accidents at the plant.

Examples

  • The bridging of the digital divide is critical to the circumvention of the multifarious problems afflicting children around the world.

    Academic text (2001)
  • This tradition implies a circumvention of the Napoleonic code, which required equal division at death.

    Academic text (2003)
  • There was no circumvention of security; security was in place, and he was granted access.

    Blog text (4)
  • We do not aid circumvention of the German-Swiss tax agreement.

    Blog text (15)
  • In the new environment, narrowcasting and circumvention of the White House press corps had their place.

    Academic text (2000)
  • A clear example of the circumvention of the military hierarchy is the utilization of traditional beliefs to gain exemption from combat duties.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Otherwise, the exception would swallow up the rule and permit circumvention of the traditional probable cause and warrant requirements where their protections are most needed.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch. (83)

    Academic text (2018)
  • Politicians often find ways of circumvention to avoid the effects of unpopular laws.

  • His clever circumvention of the rules allowed him to complete the project ahead of schedule.

Synonyms

dodging
vscircumvention
1 5.6

Avoiding responsibility or difficult questions by using tricks

targets rules, problems, or restrictions by cleverly going around them
end run around
vscircumvention
  • US
1 7.7

An indirect way to avoid a rule or problem

avoids rules or problems by cleverly going around them rather than facing them
circumbendibus approach
vscircumvention
  • Archaic
9.9

A way of doing something that avoids a direct answer or clear action

focuses on clever avoidance of rules or problems rather than simply being roundabout

Antonyms

294 4.5

A situation when people or groups meet in direct conflict, often angrily

171 5.0

Obeying rules or orders from people in charge

How Indirect

subversion
  • Formal
8 8.0
evasion
  • Specialized
38 6.2
circumvention
1 8.2
loophole
115 5.8
avoidance
39 3.7

Surface Forms

circumvention singular

Morphology

circumvention = circumvent (transparent) = circumvent + ion

Standard nominalization of the verb 'circumvent' with the suffix '-ion'; the noun denotes the act or process of circumventing.

Etymology

Circumvention comes from two parts: circum- meaning 'around' and venire meaning 'to come', so it originally meant 'coming around' something. That's why a circumvention is a clever way to go around a rule or problem instead of dealing with it directly.