sidestep

1 of 2

verb

side·​step ˈsīd-ˌstep How to pronounce sidestep (audio)
sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps
Synonyms of sidestepnext

transitive verb

1
: bypass, evade
sidestep a question
2
: to move out of the way of : avoid
sidestep a blow

intransitive verb

1
: to take a side step
2
: to avoid an issue or decision
sidestepper noun

side step

2 of 2

noun

1
: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid a blow)
2
: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on skis)

Synonyms

Verb

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of sidestep in a Sentence

Verb She sidestepped the reporter's question. They're sidestepping the real issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
In stark contrast, Trump has largely sidestepped the issue, asserting that it should now be left to the states. —Nik Popli / Charlotte, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 Officials sidestepped inquiries about the upcoming U.S. election, while continuing to foster ties with Russia, amid ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Ukraine. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
Sonnenfeld cited Harley-Davidson’s decision to shift some of its production from the U.S. to a factory in Thailand in 2019 in order to side step taxes imposed by the European Union in retaliation for Trump’s hiked tariffs on steel and aluminum. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2024 Power-deploying side steps make climbing into the Power Wagon a breeze. —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sidestep 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sidestep was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near sidestep

side sprig

sidestep

side step

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidestep. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

sidestep

verb
side·​step -ˌstep How to pronounce sidestep (audio)
1
: to take a step to the side
2
: to avoid by a step to the side
sidestep a blow
3
: to avoid answering or dealing with
sidestep a question

More from Merriam-Webster on sidestep

Nglish: Translation of sidestep for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sidestep for Arabic Speakers

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