lockstep

noun, often attributive lock·step \ ˈläk-ˌstep \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Examples: lockstep in a Sentence

Definition of lockstep

1 : a mode of marching in step by a body of persons going one after another as closely as possible

2 : a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly adhered to or that minimizes individuality

— in lockstep

: in perfect or rigid often mindless conformity or unison

politicians marching in lockstep with the party line

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Examples of lockstep in a Sentence

followed the lockstep that had been in his family for generations: prep school, Ivy League university, job on Wall Street

Recent Examples of lockstep from the Web

The arguments unfolded in lockstep with the frequent near misses.

— tim layden, SI.com, "Justify Attempts to Earn Triple Crown at Belmont With Less Narrative, Faded Anticipation," 7 June 2018
His progress, from legislative foot soldier to Christian jihadi and eager personality cultist, is in lockstep with the party nationwide.

— kevin baker, The New Republic, "Why America needs truth and reconciliation after Trump," 17 May 2018
Amaral is former chief of staff to Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare, who helped manage Trump's post-election transition team and often is in lockstep with McCarthy on water issues.

— ryan sabalow and dale kasler, sacbee, "This one stretch of river could decide the future of Shasta Dam | The Sacramento Bee," 7 May 2018
Analysts at Italian bank UniCredit underscore how, since the 1990s, the term premium has moved in lockstep with uncertainty about future inflation and how officials will move rates to react to it.

— jon sindreu, WSJ, "Why Central Banks’ Dominion Over Markets Is Here to Stay," 2 May 2018
Democrats sense, correctly, that Jackson is hanging by a threat and lockstep opposition to him could mean Republicans will have to hold together on confirmation — which is very hard to predict in this climate.

— major garrett, CBS News, "Trump promised to back up embattled Ronny Jackson in Oval Office meeting," 24 Apr. 2018
The spin-off strategy, though, seemed to take audience allegiance for granted, assuming those three little words would be enough to have viewers marching in mindless lockstep after them.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Fear the Walking Dead' gets major makeover with Morgan's arrival," 13 Apr. 2018
Ryan can’t deliver protections for Dreamers as his hardliners stand in lockstep against any compromise.

— philip elliott, Time, "The Shutdown Ended Because Democrats Lost Their Spine," 22 Jan. 2018
Golden State is nearly impossible to defend with Curry and Durant playing in lockstep.

— william guillory, NOLA.com, "Pelicans hopeful a return home can save their season," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lockstep.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of lockstep

1787

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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LOCKSTEP Defined for English Language Learners

lockstep

noun

Definition of lockstep for English Language Learners

: a way of marching in which people follow each other very closely

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