circumvention

/,sə:kəm'venʃn/
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circumvention

The clever circumvention of the roadblock saved them time.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The act of avoiding or bypassing something, especially a rule, restriction, or obstacle, by cleverness or deceit: "Circumvention" refers to the action of finding a way around a difficulty or limitation, often in a way that is not direct or intended.
    • The act of evading by going around: It describes the process of eluding something by moving or maneuvering around it, rather than confronting it directly.
Usage

"Circumvention" is a formal noun, often used in legal, technical, or strategic contexts. It describes the action itself, not the person performing it. It typically implies the use of ingenuity, trickery, or a loophole to achieve an end while technically avoiding a prohibition or barrier.

Examples
  • Noun:
    • The circumvention of international sanctions is a serious crime. (This describes the act of bypassing the sanctions.)
    • The new software patch was designed to prevent the circumvention of the security system. (This describes the act of getting around the security.)
    • His clever circumvention of the company's strict policies went unnoticed for months. (This describes the act of avoiding the policies.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Circumvention of the law": The act of avoiding the application or consequences of a law without technically breaking it, often by exploiting a legal loophole.

    • The lawyers were accused of facilitating the circumvention of the law through complex financial instruments.
  • "Circumvention device": A tool or method specifically designed to bypass a control or restriction.

    • The sale of circumvention devices for digital rights management is often illegal.
Variants and Related Words
  • Circumvent (verb): To find a way around (an obstacle); to overcome (a problem or limitation) in a clever and perhaps dishonest way.

    • They managed to circumvent the regulations.
  • Circumventive (adjective): Having the nature of or relating to circumvention. (This is a less common form.)

    • The plan had a circumventive quality to it.
Synonyms
  • Evasion: The action of evading something, especially a duty or law.
  • Bypassing: The act of going around or avoiding something.
  • Avoidance: The action of keeping away from or not doing something.
  • Outflanking: To get around the side of (an enemy or obstacle); used metaphorically for strategic avoidance.
Related Phrases
  • To find a loophole: To find an ambiguity or omission in a set of rules that allows one to avoid the intended constraint. This is a common method of circumvention.

    • Their circumvention of the tax was achieved by finding a loophole in the legislation.
  • To skirt the rules/issue: To avoid dealing with something directly, especially rules or a difficult topic.

    • The proposal was an attempt to skirt the regulations, a clear case of circumvention.
circumvention

The clever circumvention of the roadblock saved them time.

Noun
  1. the act of evading by going around