1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
took steps to ensure that there would be no more incidences of food poisoning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stage
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking
the manual enumerates every step in the procedure for shutting down the assembly line
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
5
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
he lives just a step away from his elderly mother, so he's there if she needs him for any reason
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to walk
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dance
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music
she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to hurry
to proceed or move quickly
many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of step
Arkansas Online, 11 June 2026
The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.
—Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
The wounded man’s girlfriend lives in a building just steps away from the crime scene and was on the phone with her boyfriend when he was shot, a neighbor told the Daily News at the time.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
While Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful, that uranium is a short technical step from weapons-grade levels.
—Arkansas Online, 11 June 2026
The first step is to avoid the tired trap of pitting a liberal arts education against a technical or practical one.
—Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Verb
Like Verdun, 37-year-old Terrisa Scott, who wears her own gingerbread girl costume during chases, has relished the chance to step outside her comfort zone.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
The wounded man’s girlfriend lives in a building just steps away from the crime scene and was on the phone with her boyfriend when he was shot, a neighbor told the Daily News at the time.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
He was indicted on three counts -- destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
-
Adding a healthy twist to the magical premise, powers in Dragon Striker are meant to be employed for athletic means.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
The 2026 men’s World Cup group stage consists of 12 groups of four competing in round-robin competition, an increase of 16 teams from the last men’s World Cup.—
Boston Herald,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2026
-
The national team moved its training base from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, but will play its group-stage games in Los Angeles and Seattle.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Iwerks worked with Bonnie Wild, a sound mixer whose credits include multiple Marvel and Star Wars projects, to piece together all of the sound from scratch — every creak of metal, every footstep and hammer, and every tractor driving across concrete.—
Matthew Jacobs,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
-
Vivienne, 17, also seems to be following in the footsteps of Shiloh, Maddox, and Zahara.—
Alessia Ferri,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Fleur and Caroline put innumerable noses out of joint on their paths to creative and intellectual fulfillment; lovers become dejected, friendships are left to go cold, and each woman’s devotion to her work is viewed with resentment and suspicion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
That means that the planets appear just a handful of degrees above or below the sun's apparent path through the sky, called the ecliptic.—
Doris Elin Urrutia,
Space.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
This is about ten inches in length.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Forecasters believe an additional 2 inches of rain could fall.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Today, there is a visitor center nearby, along with miles of walking trails.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
The 22-year-old right-hander gave up three hits, struck out seven and walked five in his 107-pitch effort, which included a 97-mph fastball to whiff Joey Loperfido with the bases loaded to end the third.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Her figures lounged, stood, or in one instance danced in unadorned, nearly empty interiors composed with broad, feathery brushstrokes.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The New York Review of Books,
6 June 2026
-
Complete with a red carpet and a dancing humanoid robot, the event could have been mistaken for a science fiction Hollywood premiere.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Ichabod Crane will hurry through the park trying to escape the Headless Horseman.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
-
But hurry — many of our favorites are already selling out in some colors.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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