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
David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
The 2002 plan, though opposed by Israel and sidestepped by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco through their establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel via the Abraham Accords, continues to serve broadly as the basis for the Arab League's position.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
There's no additional package information available for the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige at the time of writing, but Kia offers several accessories like X-Line cross bars ($360) and side step bars ($690).
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
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Verb
Democratic officials in some states with commissions are now talking of trying to sidestep them to counter Republican redistricting in Texas.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
The 2002 plan, though opposed by Israel and sidestepped by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco through their establishment of diplomatic ties with Israel via the Abraham Accords, continues to serve broadly as the basis for the Arab League's position.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Unlike most modern cars that have to fit an array of annoying safety features that continuously bing and bong, Morgan is able to side step these requirements as a low volume manufacturer.
—Trinity Francis, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
There's no additional package information available for the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige at the time of writing, but Kia offers several accessories like X-Line cross bars ($360) and side step bars ($690).
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 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 Aug. 2025.
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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