side·step
ˈsīd-ˌstep 
sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps
2
: to move out of the way of : avoid
sidestep a blow
sidestepper
noun
1
: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid a blow)
2
: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on skis)
Examples of sidestep in a Sentence
Verb
She sidestepped the reporter's question.
They're sidestepping the real issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Business executive Clark Dean, the only Republican who accepted the civic group’s invitation, largely sidestepped specific spending commitments and pitched a business-minded overhaul of government.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
In doing so, the Analogue 3D side steps many of the incompatibilities found in typical software emulation, such as graphic and audio glitches, input lag, and frame rate issues.
—PC Magazine, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
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Verb
On Thursday, Kennedy testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, playing up his agency's accomplishments on a range of issues - from drug price negotiations to the new dietary guidelines - and did his best to sidestep criticism of his controversial actions on vaccines.
—Will Stone, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
Business executive Clark Dean, the only Republican who accepted the civic group’s invitation, largely sidestepped specific spending commitments and pitched a business-minded overhaul of government.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
Vanspeed keeps the exterior fairly simple, adding in an all-terrain wheel and tire package, full-length roof rack, driver-side roof ladder, side steps and a rear spare tire carrier.
—New Atlas, 15 Apr. 2026
In doing so, the Analogue 3D side steps many of the incompatibilities found in typical software emulation, such as graphic and audio glitches, input lag, and frame rate issues.
—PC Magazine, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidestep. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sidestep
verb
side·step
-ˌstep
1
: to take a step to the side
2
: to avoid by a step to the side
sidestep a blow
3
: to avoid answering or dealing with
sidestep a question
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