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Definitions

end-run

[end ruhn] / ˈɛnd ˈrʌn /
VERB
outsmart
Synonyms
STRONGEST
baffle bamboozle circumvent deceive outdo outfox outmaneuver
STRONG
beat bewilder cap cheat con confuse defeat defraud dupe finagle fox gull have hoax hoodwink mislead outgeneral outguess overreach swindle top trick worst
WEAK
fake out figure out juke lead astray outjockey outthink take in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist be honest help
STRONG
clear up explain give guard lose protect surrender
VERB
outthink
Synonyms
WEAK
baffle bamboozle beat bewilder cap cheat circumvent con confuse deceive defeat defraud dupe fake out figure out finagle fox gull have hoax hoodwink juke lead astray mislead outdo outfox outgeneral outguess outjockey outmaneuver outsmart overreach swindle take in top trick worst
VERB
outwit
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceive outfox outmaneuver
STRONG
baffle bamboozle beat bewilder cap cheat circumvent con confuse defeat defraud dupe finagle fox gull have hoax hoodwink mislead outdo outgeneral outguess outsmart overreach swindle top trick worst
WEAK
fake out figure out juke lead astray outjockey outthink take in
Antonyms
STRONG
abet aid assist be honest clear up encourage enlighten explain give guard help lose protect support surrender
VERB
outwit/outsmart
Synonyms
WEAK
baffle bamboozle beat bewilder cap cheat circumvent con confuse deceive defeat defraud dupe fake out finagle fox gull have hoax hoodwink lead astray make a fool of make a monkey of mislead outdo outfox outgeneral outguess outjockey outmaneuver outthink overreach pull a fast one on put one over on run circles around swindle take in top trick worst

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Concentration camp systems are always an end run around the existing legal system in a country at a given time.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2026

Who made an audacious end run around protocol to give the president some really bad news?

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

But the proposal garnered fierce early opposition from some local leaders, concerned the group was making an end run around the planning process, as well as environmental groups concerned about the loss of natural habitat.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2024

Arizona, Nevada and California contend the Navajo Nation is making an end run around another Supreme Court case that divvied up water in the Colorado River’s Lower Basin.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 17, 2023

The plan amounted to a bureaucratic end run around Brown.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.