The Difference Between Circumvent and Circumnavigate

The Difference Between Circumvent and Circumnavigate

The Difference Between Circumvent and Circumnavigate

History: Both words originated from Latin, but they have different meanings.

Circumvent

• Usage: Circumvent means to find a way around an obstacle or problem.
• 1. I tried to circumvent the traffic by taking a back road.
• 2. She managed to circumvent the strict rules by finding a loophole.
• 3. The clever fox was able to circumvent the hunter’s traps.
• 4. He always looks for ways to circumvent the usual bureaucratic process.
• 5. The team tried to circumvent the opponent’s defense by changing their strategy.

Circumnavigate

• Usage: Circumnavigate means to travel all the way around something.
• 1. Magellan was the first explorer to circumnavigate the globe.
• 2. They plan to circumnavigate the lake on their kayaks this weekend.
• 3. The airplane will circumnavigate the storm and land safely.
• 4. She dreams of circumnavigating the world on a sailboat.
• 5. The mission is to circumnavigate the entire continent by car.

Trick to Remember the Difference:

You can remember the difference by thinking of circumvent as finding a way to avoid a problem and circumnavigate as traveling around something.

Summary:

Circumvent: Find a way around an obstacle or problem.

Circumnavigate: Travel all the way around something.