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

To get around opposition to new ports, Republicans during Trump’s first term considered but never acted on a plan to use West Coast military bases or other federal properties as fossil fuel export sites. —Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

The guide combines essential information – such as getting around on an island lacking roads connecting the major settlements – with advice on what to see and do, and where to stay and eat. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025

But there’s no getting around the fact that U.S. domestic crude oil production grew to more than any country, ever, during his time in office. —Miyo McGinn, Outside Online, 22 Jan. 2025

Some European multinationals are looking for ways to get around tariffs. —Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

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