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
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
Arkansas Online, 11 June 2026
The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.
—Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
The wounded man’s girlfriend lives in a building just steps away from the crime scene and was on the phone with her boyfriend when he was shot, a neighbor told the Daily News at the time.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
While Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, that uranium is a short technical step from weapons-grade levels.
—Arkansas Online, 11 June 2026
The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.
—Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Verb
Like Verdun, 37-year-old Terrisa Scott, who wears her own gingerbread girl costume during chases, has relished the chance to step outside her comfort zone.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
The wounded man’s girlfriend lives in a building just steps away from the crime scene and was on the phone with her boyfriend when he was shot, a neighbor told the Daily News at the time.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
The fund was created at a Thursday meeting of the performing arts center's board of trustees, with the members voting unanimously to acknowledge the president's contributions to the center by all legal means.—
Emma Nicholson,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Founder of the House Tax Equity Caucus, Elliott — who favors child tax and renters’ credits or other means to reduce burdens on low- and middle-income households — says the demand for relief is the voters’ mantra.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The 2026 men’s World Cup group stage consists of 12 groups of four competing in round-robin competition, an increase of 16 teams from the last men’s World Cup.—
Boston Herald,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2026
-
The national team moved its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, but will play its group-stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Iwerks worked with Bonnie Wild, a sound mixer whose credits include multiple Marvel and Star Wars projects, to piece together all of the sound from scratch — every creak of metal, every footstep and hammer, and every tractor driving across concrete.—
Matthew Jacobs,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
-
Vivienne, 17, also seems to be following in the footsteps of Shiloh, Maddox, and Zahara.—
Alessia Ferri,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
And Dolan’s input was a part of the Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau and go down the circuitous path that brought Mike Brown to their sidelines, and that, too, worked out.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
Internationally collaborative and open-science efforts such as this are putting us on a path toward a meaningful treatment to halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
This is about ten inches in length.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Forecasters believe an additional 2 inches of rain could fall.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Those hoping to attend the game described a frantic scene on social media, with some sharing stories of abandoning their rides, including shuttles and rideshares, and walking to the stadium.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
Amid a wave of pitching injuries, Cabrera walked off the Wrigley Field mound with an athletic trainer Tuesday night, exiting his start against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of a 5-2 loss to the worst team in the majors.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The bar is known for its mural of dancing pink ponies and fruity Island Rum Runner cocktails, a Pink Pony signature.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
-
The truffle vinaigrette drizzled atop imparts an earthy aroma and complexity that dances with the lobster and wagyu’s profiles.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
But hurry, these deals won’t last forever, and certain sizes and colors are already selling out.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Congo said the contact tracing coverage rate is 56%, a sharp decrease from last week, as authorities hurry to find people who may have been exposed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
