goose-stepped; goose-stepping; goose-steps
: a straight-legged stiff-kneed step used by troops of some armies when passing in review
Examples of goose-step in a Sentence
Verb
the new president has everyone goose-stepping to her every whim lest they provoke her wrath
Recent Examples on the Web
Armond White, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024
On some milestone birthdays, North Korea’s military holds huge parades with goose-stepping soldiers and powerful weapons capable of targeting the U.S. and South Korea.
—Jiwon Song, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2024
There are teenage call girls, pregnant adulterers, online strippers, goose-stepping racists, topless caterers, feuding relatives and men who cut off their manhood.
—Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023
Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2021
The goose step is also used by North Korea and was performed by the military in Nazi Germany.
—Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2021
The tap-tap-tap of the goose step, dancing right up to my door.
—Laura Moser, The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2021
Then suddenly, the honor guard switched to the goose step, but only for short time, less than a dozen paces.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 15 Apr. 2021
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
Variety, The Wrap, the Hollywood Reporter, the Los Angeles Times, and others goose-step to the Daily Worker, Izvestia, or Pravda.
—Armond White, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024
On some milestone birthdays, North Korea’s military holds huge parades with goose-stepping soldiers and powerful weapons capable of targeting the U.S. and South Korea.
—Jiwon Song, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2024
There are teenage call girls, pregnant adulterers, online strippers, goose-stepping racists, topless caterers, feuding relatives and men who cut off their manhood.
—Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 27 Apr. 2023
Noun
Soldiers marched in goose step under a red arch emblazoned with the hammer and sickle as cannons fired 100 rounds.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2021
The goose step is also used by North Korea and was performed by the military in Nazi Germany.
—Washington Post, 20 Apr. 2021
The tap-tap-tap of the goose step, dancing right up to my door.
—Laura Moser, The New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2021
Then suddenly, the honor guard switched to the goose step, but only for short time, less than a dozen paces.
—Brad Lendon, CNN, 15 Apr. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Goose-step.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goose-step. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share