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.
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Recent Examples of step
Susan Page, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
For his part, Cook told investors on Apple’s most recent earnings call that the company is taking steps to both restructure staff internally and acquire other companies to catch up in the AI race.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Henson eventually stepped away from acting, and, according to his LinkedIn profile, earned an MFA from Columbia University in 2015.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
Without those first steps, though, all those that must follow would be all but impossible to imagine.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
For his part, Cook told investors on Apple’s most recent earnings call that the company is taking steps to both restructure staff internally and acquire other companies to catch up in the AI race.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
Aledo was out of sorts, stepping on its own feet with 12 penalties for 110 yards, but found a way to settle down in the fourth quarter.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2025
Henson eventually stepped away from acting, and, according to his LinkedIn profile, earned an MFA from Columbia University in 2015.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
For Brentford, the end can often be said to justify the means.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
How To Keep Skunks Away Removing potential food sources and excluding skunks from an area are the most effective means of keeping them away from your home.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In a sneak peek aired on GMA, Swift is seen attempting to relax after a show, filling up a giant marble bathtub while still wearing one of her glittery stage outfits.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The new research focused on an NOA mouse model specifically designed to mimic human genetic deficiencies causing meiotic arrest — a stage where sperm production stalls.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The director will be feted with the Lumière Award in front of a 3,000-strong crowd at the festival on Friday evening, following in the footsteps of Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola, Quentin Tarantino, Tim Burton and Isabelle Huppert.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Both networks are following in the footsteps of SpaceX's Starlink megaconstellation, which currently consists of more than 8,600 operational spacecraft and is growing all the time.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
By controlling the pressure inside the robot’s body and the temperature of the actuators, the researchers were able to steer it through intricate paths.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Directed by Sylvain White and featuring early performances from Meagan Good, Ne-Yo, and Chris Brown, the film celebrates movement as both self-expression and a path toward belonging—perfect for the spirit of Homecoming season.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
How To Dig Up Dahlia Tubers Cut back the dead foliage to about 4 inches above ground to prevent diseases and pests and make removing the clump from the soil easier.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Quince Ultra-Stretch Ponte Straight-Leg Pants The inseam options include 26, 28, 30, and 32 inches, and Quince’s size guide offers recommendations based on height.—
Rachel Trujillo,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No matter what had happened over the first two quarters of a game, Turner would watch Simons walk up to Damian Lillard’s locker and receive a breakdown of the action.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Lila Moss Kate Moss' daughter, Lila Moss, walked the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in a gray long-sleeve jumpsuit which read pink across the chest.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But only once has the mercantile danced with the affluent to such sensuous effect in the realm of fiction.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Sometimes that is dancing to music in my living room.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But with victory comes hustle as stores hurried to fill the demand of playoff gear.—
Ricardo Torres,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Duane heard the shooting and hurried around to help.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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