Sidesteppingly
Sidesteppingly describes an action or approach characterized by the avoidance of a direct confrontation, responsibility, or difficult issue. It implies a deliberate move to circumvent something, often through evasive tactics, carefully chosen words, or by shifting focus away from the core problem. It suggests an attempt to avoid dealing with a matter head-on, opting instead for a more indirect or subtle approach. The adverb implies a skillful, perhaps even artful, maneuver to avoid the perceived obstacle, often with a touch of calculated shrewdness. The intent is usually to minimize risk or to maintain a particular advantage by strategically maneuvering around a sensitive or problematic situation.
Sidesteppingly meaning with examples
- The politician, sidesteppingly, avoided answering the journalist's direct question about campaign finance, instead focusing on her accomplishments in education reform. She quickly pivoted the conversation.
- His sidesteppingly vague response to the allegations of misconduct made the situation more suspicious. He expertly dodged all the hard questions put to him.
- The company's sidesteppingly crafted press release addressed environmental concerns without committing to any concrete actions, hoping to appease critics.
- She handled the awkward family argument sidesteppingly, diplomatically changing the subject to a lighter topic before emotions escalated.
- Rather than confronting the bully directly, the child, acting sidesteppingly, took a different route to school, hoping to avoid the confrontation.