step aside

verb

stepped aside; stepping aside; steps aside

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from one's position or occupation : step down

Synonyms

• leave
• retire (from)
• resign (from)
• quit
• step down (from)

Examples of step aside in a Sentence

a newscaster who knew when it was time to step aside from the anchor desk and let a younger person take over

the prime minister was compelled to step aside from his office when it was demonstrated that he had violated the public trust

Recent Examples on the Web

With no candidate willing to step aside, Mamdani’s election is all but assured. —Menachem Spiegel, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2025

As today’s niche businesses continue to innovate and gain traction, the existing giants will either need to innovate alongside them or prepare to step aside and make way for future giants. —David Henkin, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025

Johnson suggested the candidates assess who has the best chance of winning and for others to step aside for the good of the party. —Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 25 July 2025

The former governor and other candidates have been facing calls from opponents of Mamdani to step aside from the race to try to coalesce support for one non-Mamdani candidate. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for step aside

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified