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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sidestep
Such an outcome would restore funding to border and immigration enforcement priorities while sidestepping all of the structural reforms Democratic lawmakers spent months advocating after sweeping immigration enforcement action in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis.
—
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The current version of the film sidesteps the allegations by ending its story in 1988, five years before the Chandler claims came out and 15 years before Jackson was arrested in 2003 on charges of molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
But in a similar vein to ridesharing apps, the gigification of health care might come at the expense of worker security and even allow companies to sidestep regulations, found a new report on the state of nursing gig work.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, Kennedy testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, playing up his agency's accomplishments on a range of issues - from drug price negotiations to the new dietary guidelines - and did his best to sidestep criticism of his controversial actions on vaccines.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The current version of the film sidesteps the allegations by ending its story in 1988, five years before the Chandler claims came out and 15 years before Jackson was arrested in 2003 on charges of molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
But in a similar vein to ridesharing apps, the gigification of health care might come at the expense of worker security and even allow companies to sidestep regulations, found a new report on the state of nursing gig work.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
On Thursday, Kennedy testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, playing up his agency's accomplishments on a range of issues - from drug price negotiations to the new dietary guidelines - and did his best to sidestep criticism of his controversial actions on vaccines.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sidestep
Verb
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Sales agents can circumvent those fees, requesting them from the seller directly, or a third party document site.—
Amancai Biraben,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
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The leak caused consternation from department brass, Moers alleged, who were not happy that his commission had circumvented proper channels to receive emergency funding.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But where limestone is crumbly and opaque, nacre’s toughness and light-bending properties come from silklike proteins that weave among the layers, holding them in place while providing enough elasticity to absorb the shock of a fracture.—
Caitlin Kennedy,
Scientific American,
25 Apr. 2026
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Never tested in orbit, NASA’s robot could, in theory, perform tasks like weaving solar power stations and antennae in space from spools of carbon fiber.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Players and coaches have become maddeningly mealy-mouthed, striving to avoid upsetting agents, sponsors, owners, fans, thin-skinned politicians, and whoever else might object.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, who sits on the Housing and Homelessness Committee, said Friday the recommendations are intended to better align the city’s homelessness response with local needs while avoiding service disruptions and improving long-term coordination.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When shots were fired, hundreds of attendees ducked under tables or took cover inside the ballroom before being evacuated, and the event was subsequently postponed.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover underneath their tables.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kelsy dispossessed San Diego in its defensive third, cut back to evade a defender at the edge of the penalty area, and skipped a shot inside the near post to give the Timbers (3-5-1) a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
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Garcia sprinted off exiting through a side entrance and evaded authorities until cops nabbed him on March 25, 2026.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge Edge rusher Anthony Smith led the Big Ten with 12 1/2 sacks last season.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
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During her Senate hearing, Means dodged some questions about those stances.—
Brennan Leach,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police said the driver of the black Ford Fusion was headed south on northwest 12th Avenue at a high rate of speed near northwest 188th Street when the driver tried to bypass slow-moving traffic by driving on the swale.—
Steven Yablonski,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Under former President Jacob Zuma’s administration, a 9,600 MW plan tied to Russia’s Rosatom was struck down by the courts for bypassing parliamentary oversight.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sidestep. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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