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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of step
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025
While important steps had been taken to address the abuse scandals during his predecessor’s tenure, there was still much more the church needed to do.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025
Walking with a cane and recovering from a recent illness, Mr. Lev could not resist doing a little jig as stepped upon it to the cheers of friends and family.
—Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
Ball season returns with its glittering whirl of tiaras, tuxedos, and traditional steps rehearsed across generations.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2025
While important steps had been taken to address the abuse scandals during his predecessor’s tenure, there was still much more the church needed to do.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
Pull yourself away from the outdoor living space and step inside, where the beds are from Tempur-Pedic and one of the bathrooms features an alfresco bathtub.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025
Walking with a cane and recovering from a recent illness, Mr. Lev could not resist doing a little jig as stepped upon it to the cheers of friends and family.
—Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
Right after taping the April 21 episode, the judges stepped out of the sound stage to give USA TODAY insight into what those precious few minutes of negotiation were like.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
While Khalifa paraded around the stage, blunt in hand, tossing large, plastic makeshift joints into the crowd, the crowd was primed for the headliner himself, Chris Brown.—
Kenneth Williams,
Essence,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, have followed in their mother’s footsteps to raise cancer awareness among young people.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Robert follows in the fancy footsteps of his sister, Bindi, who was crowned the champion of season 21 alongside professional partner Derek Hough (now a judge on DWTS) in 2015.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The advancements in hair restoration and the increasing acceptance of cosmetic procedures for all offer a path for men to take control of their appearance and well-being, with none of the shame of yesterday.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
-
If your career background will help guide and inform a high school grad following a similar path, offering mentorship and sharing advice and wisdom is invaluable, according to Forge.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Almanac Average temperature: High 88, Low 66 Rainfall: 3.74 inches 1.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2025
-
The entire unit is about 15.1 inches in diameter and 5.3 inches thick (383.3 mm by 135.5 mm).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Bell is seen in the footage walking through the classroom as well, court documents show.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
-
Norway has walked away from Canneseries as the big winner this year.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
By 60 months, the child does not sing, dance, or act for you.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The goal was the result of a sensational play by Theodore, who collected a puck at the blue line, danced into open ice, froze Gustavsson with a slap shot fake, and fed Dorofeyev for a one-timer into a wide-open net.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Ron hurried to change positions before the tom flew down.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Traders in January hurried to build up inventories ahead of tariffs, according to a recent USA TODAY analysis.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The exemption started as a cost-cutting measure, to avoid taxes that cost the government more to collect than the tax itself.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
2 May 2025
-
The email includes urgent measures recipients must take.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share