step-by-step

adjective or adverb

ˌstep-bī-ˈstep 

: marked by successive degrees usually of limited extent : gradual

Synonyms of step-by-step

• gradual

Examples of step-by-step in a Sentence

the incessant step-by-step advance of the enemy's troops could no longer be resisted

Recent Examples on the Web

New this year will be an enormous 20-foot tipi, as well as a demonstration area revealing the process of erecting tipi’s step-by-step. — Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Content creator Alexa Santos, known on for her viral recipes as @alexawhatsfordinner, tried her hand at the frozen watermelon dessert, sharing a video of her step-by-step guide that has since amassed more than 32,000 likes. — Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 10 July 2026

It’s designed to be approachable for DIY beginners and seasoned builders alike, and comes with step-by-step assembly instructions. — Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2026

Critically, the model does not seem to use this J-space for every kind of output, only those that require a lot of step-by-step reasoning. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for step-by-step

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

Kids Definition

step-by-step

adjective

ˌstep-bī-ˈstep

: gradual