step backward/forward

noun

: an action that will be harmful/helpful
The court's decision is a step backward/forward for the reform movement.

Examples of step backward/forward in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And though Lopez is gone like Zac Gallen was before him, onetime sure thing Sixto Sanchez is little more than a lottery ticket at this point, and Trevor Rogers took a big step backward last season, there are still potential top performers lurking. Tony Blengino, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023 Since then, the Bears have alternated wins and losses, but their performance on the road in Week 4 against the Giants had to feel like a step backward. Michael Arinze, Chicago Tribune, 5 Oct. 2022 It’s been a step backward for Warren this season, who has experienced a big drop in his strikeout rate and his walks have ticked up. The Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2022 During the second quarter of 2022, U.S. employee engagement took another step backward, with the proportion of engaged workers remaining at 32%, but the proportion of actively disengaged increasing to 18%, the report found. Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2022 In many regards, the agencies’ plan was a step backward for salmon compared to what courts had already rejected, said Michele DeHart, manager of the Fish Passage Center, a small federal research body funded by Bonneville. Tony Schick, ProPublica, 4 Aug. 2022 Today’s Supreme Court opinion will live in infamy as a step backward for women's rights and human rights. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 June 2022 Formerly a key piece of the Nuggets before injuries and offensive game took a step backward. Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2022 On that score, this year represented something of a step backward after last year’s watershed nominations, even as some noteworthy milestones were achieved. Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step backward/forward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Step backward/forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20backward%2Fforward. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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