step aside

verb

stepped aside; stepping aside; steps aside

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms of step aside

• 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

Current Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had been al-Maliki’s main rival for the nomination before stepping aside to clear the path for him. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026

Current Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had been Al-Maliki’s main rival for the nomination before stepping aside to clear the path for him. —Qassim Abdul-Zahra, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026

This news comes after former head coach Zach Botelho stepped aside in January after five years leading the Panthers. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026

Why don’t some Democrats step aside, for the good of the party? —Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2026

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