By-passing refers to avoiding or circumventing something. There are several synonyms for this word, including circumventing, sidestepping, skirting, avoiding, evading, and bypassing. These words denote a similar concept of getting around something, whether it's a rule, a process, or a person. Circumventing is often used in legal contexts, whereas sidestepping and skirting may have a more informal connotation. Avoiding and evading suggest a deliberate attempt to stay away from something, while bypassing refers more specifically to finding an alternate route or method. Regardless of the specific word used, all of these synonyms for by-passing indicate a way to avoid or get around something that might otherwise be a hindrance.