sidestep

1 of 2

verb

side·​step ˈsīd-ˌstep 

sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps

transitive verb

1

: bypass, evade

sidestep a question

2

: to move out of the way of : avoid

sidestep a blow

intransitive verb

1

: to take a side step

2

: to avoid an issue or decision

sidestepper noun

side step

2 of 2

noun

1

: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid a blow)

2

: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on skis)

Synonyms of sidestep

Verb

• circumvent
• avoid
• evade
• bypass

Examples of sidestep in a Sentence

Verb

She sidestepped the reporter's question.

They're sidestepping the real issue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the time, the Department of Justice argued that the president could sidestep the Insurrection Act to send armed troops into American streets over the objection of local leaders. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

The new proposal aims to sidestep that hazard by using MCB only occasionally and only in a small portion of the atmosphere. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 8 July 2026

Noun

This resistance band exercise is a modification of lunges and side steps to build strength in the muscles supporting your knees, ideally without triggering any existing knee pain. — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 8 June 2026

The driver’s- and passenger-side step-ups are permanent. — James Raia, Mercury News, 31 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sidestep

• multistep
• overstep
• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• misstep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep

Kids 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