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

In May, a Supreme Court spokeswoman told NBC News that Alito would not step aside from the case. — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026

There were a couple of people there that needed to step aside and let communication and openness happen. — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026

Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist, offers a useful case for thinking about when a founder should step aside. — Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 18 Sep. 2026

As a bonus, to fully un-break the Heartbreakers’ circle, Lynch stepped aside from the drums for the final number to let lat his successor, Steve Ferrone, step in for the finale, and 21st-century utility man Scott Thurston popped in as well. — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for step aside

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