get around

verb

got around; got around or gotten around; getting around; gets around

transitive verb

1

: circumvent, evade

2

: to get the better of

intransitive verb

1

a

: to find or take the necessary time or effort

—used with to

b

: to give attention or consideration

—used with to

2

: to go from place to place

3

: to become known or current

word got around that he was resigning

Synonyms

• beat
• best
• conquer
• defeat
• dispatch
• do down [British]
• get
• lick
• master
• overbear
• overcome
• overmatch
• prevail (over)
• skunk
• stop
• subdue
• surmount
• take
• trim
• triumph (over)
• upend
• win (against)
• worst

Examples of get around in a Sentence

somehow, an inexperienced lawyer managed to get around the media giant's stable of high-priced legal eagles

somehow she managed to get around the rules for paying the sales tax on a car bought out of state

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump also put a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports to close a loophole that allowed some manufacturers to get around previous tariffs. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025

But getting around, transportation is a lot different. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Feb. 2025

Because public transportation is not available to get around Puerto Rico’s main island, renting a car is going to be your best bet. —Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025

Each has its own limitations, and part of the magic of photography is learning how to get around them. —Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Rhymes for get around

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• ultrasound
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• astound
• background

Kids Definition

get around

verb

1

: evade

2

: to do or deal with (something not yet done or dealt with)

will get around to it

3

: to go from place to place

4

: to become known

word got around