circumvent
Meaning: To find a way around an obstacle, rule, or difficulty, especially by using cleverness or ingenuity rather than direct confrontation.
Circumvent implies resourcefulness and often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that rules or systems are being cleverly avoided rather than openly challenged. It collocates with regulations, restrictions, sanctions, and security measures. In legal and regulatory contexts, circumvention may itself constitute an offence.
Examples
- Companies have found increasingly creative ways to circumvent the new regulations on executive pay. 企业找到了越来越有创意的方法来规避高管薪酬的新法规。Las empresas han encontrado formas cada vez más ingeniosas de sortear las nuevas normativas sobre retribución de directivos.企業は役員報酬に関する新規制を回避するためにますます創造的な方法を見つけている。기업들은 임원 보수에 관한 새 규제를 우회하기 위해 점점 더 창의적인 방법을 찾아내고 있다.
- The smugglers circumvented border controls by using a network of underground tunnels. 走私者通过使用地下隧道网络来规避边境管控。Los contrabandistas eludieron los controles fronterizos mediante una red de túneles subterráneos.密輸業者は地下トンネルのネットワークを利用して国境管理を迂回した。밀수업자들은 지하 터널 네트워크를 이용하여 국경 통제를 우회했다.
- Critics argue that the proposed reforms would simply allow wealthy individuals to circumvent inheritance tax. 批评者认为,拟议的改革只不过是让富人能够规避遗产税。Los críticos sostienen que las reformas propuestas simplemente permitirían a los ricos eludir el impuesto de sucesiones.批評家たちは、提案された改革は単に富裕層が相続税を回避できるようにするだけだと主張している。비판론자들은 제안된 개혁이 단지 부유층이 상속세를 우회할 수 있게 해줄 뿐이라고 주장한다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, legal, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin circumvenire (to come around, surround, deceive), from circum- (around) + venire (to come). Entered English in the mid-15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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