circumnavigate

/ˌsɜːkəmˈnævɪɡeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌsɜːrkəmˈnævɪɡeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌsər-kəm-ˈna-və-ˌgāt/ (ame, mw)

circumnavigate — verb

  • circumnavigatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • circumnavigateshe / she / it
  • circumnavigatedpast simple
  • circumnavigating-ing form

1. to make a complete journey round a place, often in a boat or aircraft

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to make a complete journey round a place, often in a boat or aircraft

例句

In 2019, Hugo circumnavigated the globe in a small sailboat.

circumnavigate + the globe by ship

Nadia hopes to circumnavigate the earth before turning thirty.

同義詞
  • travel around

    broader and less exact; it does not always imply a complete loop

  • sail around

    specific to sea travel, while circumnavigate can be broader

  • go around

    everyday wording for movement round something, often on a smaller scale

反義詞
  • cross

    focuses on going through the middle rather than round the outside

文法句型

circumnavigate + place

circumnavigate + the globe/world

用法筆記

Usually takes a place such as the globe, an island, or a continent as its object. It is more formal and more exact than travel around because it implies finishing the whole loop.

常見錯誤

❌We circumnavigated around the island in one day.
✅We circumnavigated the island in one day.
💡circumnavigate already includes the idea of going around, so it normally takes a direct object without 'around'.

2. to pass something by moving round it so that you do not hit it

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to pass something by moving round it so that you do not hit it

例句

The bus circumnavigated a fallen tree and continued down the road.

move round a physical blockage

Abigail circumnavigated the crowd and reached the ticket desk.

同義詞
  • go around

    the everyday choice for moving round a physical object

  • detour around

    emphasizes taking another route because the direct one is blocked

  • bypass

    often used for roads, systems, or planned routes rather than a visible obstacle

反義詞
  • hit

    suggests making contact with the obstacle instead of getting round it

文法句型

circumnavigate + obstacle

circumnavigate + blockage

用法筆記

The object is a physical thing blocking movement, such as a tree, crowd, or machine. This sense is about finding space around the obstacle, not about avoiding a rule or responsibility.

3. to prevent a rule, problem, or limit from stopping you by using another method

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to prevent a rule, problem, or limit from stopping you by using another method

例句

The company circumnavigated import taxes by shipping parts separately.

circumnavigate + rule by + -ing

Samir circumnavigated the school ban by borrowing a classmate's phone.

同義詞
  • bypass

    common for rules or systems and less formal than circumnavigate

  • evade

    often suggests dishonest or secret avoidance

  • get around

    informal everyday wording for finding a way past a rule or problem

反義詞
  • obey

    means following the rule instead of avoiding it

文法句型

circumnavigate + rule/problem

circumnavigate + rule/problem + by + -ing

用法筆記

Often used in formal or critical writing. The object is usually a rule, tax, ban, or technical limit, and a by-phrase often explains the method used to avoid it.

常見錯誤

❌They circumnavigated from the ban with fake passes.
✅They circumnavigated the ban by using fake passes.
💡Use a direct object for what is avoided, and 'by' to introduce the method.