1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
took steps to ensure that there would be no more incidences of food poisoning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stage
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking
the manual enumerates every step in the procedure for shutting down the assembly line
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
5
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
he lives just a step away from his elderly mother, so he's there if she needs him for any reason
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to walk
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dance
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music
she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly
many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of step
Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Both spirits go through a process of cooking, fermenting, and distilling agave, but mezcal’s production involves a unique step: roasting the agave piñas in underground pits.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
After the dunk, Braun celebrated by shouting and stepping toward the chest of Gobert, who responded by appearing to wrap his left arm around Braun’s neck and shove the 23-year-old guard.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step 
Noun
But since last year, the Biden administration has taken steps to improve communication and cooperation with Beijing, which is one of Washington’s largest trading partners but is also seen as its main long-term strategic adversary.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Both spirits go through a process of cooking, fermenting, and distilling agave, but mezcal’s production involves a unique step: roasting the agave piñas in underground pits.
—Emily Price, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
After a play, Waddle got his ankle stepped on by a Buffalo Bills defender.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
After the dunk, Braun celebrated by shouting and stepping toward the chest of Gobert, who responded by appearing to wrap his left arm around Braun’s neck and shove the 23-year-old guard.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
The candidates met on the debate stage once in October and had several heated exchanges about immigration, their resumes and more.Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish hits the stage at Heritage Bank Center on Friday as part of her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour.Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Following in the footsteps of Meta, which recently added AI to its Ray-Ban specs, Apple could be developing its own version of smart glasses, Bloomberg reported.Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Following in the footsteps of groups like Public Enemy and N.W.A., today’s artists are carrying the torch forward, proving that hip-hop remains a powerful vehicle for change.Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Refuse to let outside influences steer you down the wrong path.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
-
Surprisingly, two of the three rats chose to take the less efficient path of turning away from the reward and running to the car to drive to their Froot Loop destination.Kelly Lambert, Discover Magazine, 14 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Two to 6 inches of snow is forecast at Sierra Nevada passes, the National Weather Service said.Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
-
An additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall are expected into Thursday morning across parts of western Cuba, amounting to 12 inches of total accumulations from the storm.Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
America walks away Nobody knows how the major powers and their Machiavellian leaders will react to this abdication of American hegemony.Andreas Kluth, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
-
But the biggest red flag of all is the abuse that Sam witnesses while walking by during one of Wolf’s training sessions with Iron Dragon captain Axel.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
As an intimacy grows between Cassie and Bryan, Berryman again dances with shadows of Blanche and Stanley, but with all the hatred removed, the poisons of class and time and gender drained away.Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
-
The tight end hung out in the VIP tent with Swift's mom Andrea during the show, dancing with her, which fans captured on video and shared on social media.Hedy Phillips, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
Standard protocol when a critically ill patient experiences a miscarriage is to stabilize her and, in most cases, hurry to the operating room for delivery, medical experts said.Lizzie Presser and Kavitha Surana, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024
-
Based on Philbrick's affidavit, Keough's lawyers hurried into court to prevent the sale of Graceland.Claire Pedersen, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The space heaters were sold in black and white and measure from 9 inches to 26 inches in height, depending on the model.Katie Wiseman, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
-
These actions can range from initial fire control measures and coordinating evacuations to contacting the fire department.Kyle Russell, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to step
Thesaurus Entries Near step
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share