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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of step
Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
The periods between these evolutionary steps present opportunities to slow this process and possibly avert a global disaster.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Amina liked the sound of that—the idea of Old World trade, of people stepping ashore, embarking on adventure.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
The Pentagon chief said the reorganization of U.S. troops is a step to better prepare for a possible conflict.
—Arkansas Online, 31 Mar. 2025
The periods between these evolutionary steps present opportunities to slow this process and possibly avert a global disaster.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
Third to Journalism in the recent San Felipe Stakes — the race that more or less made Journalism a candidate Derby horse and that saw Rodriguez fade to show — Rodriguez currently clings to step No. 30 on the Derby points ladder, with 21-plus points.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Amina liked the sound of that—the idea of Old World trade, of people stepping ashore, embarking on adventure.
—Ayşegül Savaş, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
But momentous events from beyond the stage hovered, too: In February, well after all 5,000 tickets had been sold for our two-night stand, Donald Trump dismissed multiple members of the Kennedy Center board and installed himself as the institution’s chairman.—
Ryan Miller,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2025
-
On a Thursday night in late February, friends and fans huddle around the small stage, while Badgley sits in the back holding their four year-old son, who is fast asleep.—
Kate Branch,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Lowden would follow in the footsteps of Matthew Macfadyen, Colin Firth, David Rintoul, Peter Cushing and Laurence Olivier, who have all portrayed the iconic literary character Mr. Darcy.—
Vlada Gelman,
TVLine,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Howells becomes the 5th ever man to win a triple crown on the APP tour, following in the footsteps of Ben Johns (Sept 2020 and Mar 2021), Jay Devilliers (Aug 2021), JW Johnson (three Triple Crowns between March and August 2022), and Zane Navratil (May 2022).—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a world where many leaders feel compelled to perform—mirroring what’s expected rather than leading from within—Piyush chose another path.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
Trump lost Virginia in 2024 by nearly 5 percentage points, making Earle-Sears’s path to victory even harder.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
By Saturday evening as much as 10 to 12 inches of rain is anticipated across parts of the region.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Try to take up most of the floor space, with about 12 inches left around the edges to the walls.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Although there was a due process of knocking off a bit of rust from weeks away from NBA basketball, Cunningham eventually walked away from the loss feeling like himself.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Trailing 2-0, the Mets’ first two hitters reached base against left-handed reliever Brendon Little when Lindor walked and Juan Soto singled.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Some shouted and danced; others raced to the market immediately to buy maize.—
Erika Page,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Staff and friends would often stay until the sun came up, laughing, dancing and playing cards.—
Brad Johnson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The deals are on now and are good until April 14, so hurry and upgrade your Microsoft Office system today.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Listen to this article Mayor Adams on Monday urged the judge presiding over his public corruption case to hurry up and decide on outstanding dismissal motions before upcoming deadlines in the mayoral race.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In response to the growing concern, TikTok implemented measures to mitigate the spread of such content.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The World Bank says Israel's gross domestic product, a measure of economic output, is over $500 billion a year.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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