Definition of "short-circuit" [short•-cir•cuit]

To cause to have a short circuit. (verb-transitive)
Informal To hamper the progress of; impede. (verb-transitive)
To bypass. (verb-transitive)
To become affected with a short circuit. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "short-circuit" in a sentence

"Undo the habits in any way: mess with them; short-circuit, distract, immobilize their predictability; mobilize their strength; and utilize their potential for change."
"The Justice Department, which is defending the law, opposed Mr. Cuccinelli's request, arguing in a written brief that there was no need to short-circuit the normal appeals process."
"The mess also threatens to short-circuit Mr. Weiner's national profile."

Words like "short-circuit"

avoid baffle bilk create

cross foil frustrate make

queer scotch short-circuited short-circuiting

short-circuits spoil thwart