1
as in to circumvent
to avoid having to comply with (something) especially through cleverness
the eager enlistee sidestepped the regulations by lying about his age
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sidestep
But some experts argue that the president could cite executive authority to sidestep the law, in a move that would almost certainly prompt legal challenges.
—
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Courts, however, have consistently rejected or sidestepped those 14th Amendment claims over the past quarter century, while almost uniformly upholding the policy interpretation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Thanks to its modular and distinctly unmilitary design, the U-2 fit the bill and sidestepped the Air Force's objections when the command of the operation went to the CIA.
—David Szondy
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
The verdict was a big deal, showing how plaintiffs’ attorneys can sidestep Section 230, which shields platforms from liability for what users post.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Courts, however, have consistently rejected or sidestepped those 14th Amendment claims over the past quarter century, while almost uniformly upholding the policy interpretation.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Thanks to its modular and distinctly unmilitary design, the U-2 fit the bill and sidestepped the Air Force's objections when the command of the operation went to the CIA.
—David Szondy
march 29, New Atlas, 29 Mar. 2026
The verdict was a big deal, showing how plaintiffs’ attorneys can sidestep Section 230, which shields platforms from liability for what users post.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
-
The unifying aspect of the recent cases is that they're crafted to circumvent Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which Congress passed in 1996 and President Bill Clinton signed into law.—
Jennifer Elias,Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Congress is on a two-week recess, but the Senate and House could move to fund all of DHS except ICE and CBP as early as Thursday using a procedure known as unanimous consent that allows the chambers to circumvent formal voting as long as no member objects.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Beyond the vitrines of watches that weave throughout the space is another enclave with banquette seating to also be used for appointments.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The 20-track LP serves as equal parts music and cinema in which Crockett weaves a tale of McLane as a cattle rustler on the run from the law who — eventually — gets his redemption.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Takaoka played a long arcing ball-ahead to Ocampo, who avoided goalkeeper James Pantemis — who had charged off his line — and rolled a shot from the edge of the penalty area inside the back post and into a wide-open net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Was this the kind of assignment that more established runners ever tried to duck?—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Investors ducking for cover in the rocky market are turning to low volatility funds.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the 72nd minute, Dudinha, who finished with two assists, stole the ball from Chicago and passed it to Barcenas, who, while moving to her left, delivered a brilliant backheel to her right to evade two defenders.—
Fernando Ramirez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
To evade interference from electronic jammers, both militaries launch drones attached to miles-long spools of fiber-optic wire - leaving behind a digital spider's web.—
Holly Williams,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Testy hearings, 'burn book' on Democratic lawmakers In combative hearings on Capitol Hill, Bondi repeatedly dodged questions from Democrats on the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files and other sensitive matters.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The intent is to substantially alter the code and thus dodge Anthropic’s copyright takedowns, which have been removing the GitHub repositories over infringement.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The case that almost wasn’t A March 2023 Cal-OSHA investigation found that the employer bypassed a safety device, making flipping the potentially deadly switch easier.—
Joe Rubin,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Rodriguez, for his part, must justify UM’s faith in him after the Canes bypassed adding a starting center in the transfer portal for the first time in four years.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
