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
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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
-
The fund was created at a Thursday meeting of the performing arts center's board of trustees, with the members voting unanimously to acknowledge the president's contributions to the center by all legal means.—
Emma Nicholson,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
The government of Kagame, whose party has ruled Rwanda since 1994, has tried to bridge ethnic divisions using legal means and other measures, and has been praised by many for presiding over relative peace and stability.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 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
-
Local groups Sin Tope and Making Movies performed on the festival’s main stage, giving fans a chance to decompress and have some fun, rather than stressing about their favorite team.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
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
-
Internationally collaborative and open-science efforts such as this are putting us on a path toward a meaningful treatment to halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease.—
Tara Haelle,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
-
His family still has a letter from Hubert Humphrey encouraging that path.—
Nick Lunemann,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
This is about ten inches in length.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 June 2026
-
Authorities described him as 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Those hoping to attend the game described a frantic scene on social media, with some sharing stories of abandoning their rides, including shuttles and rideshares, and walking to the stadium.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
17 June 2026
-
After a sloppy first half, France walks away triumphant with 3 points in its first game of the World Cup.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The Mexican players danced in a circle as the crowd serenaded them with the song El Rey by Vicente Fernández.—
Paul Tenorio,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
-
New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi Running Shoes These New Balance sneakers have kept my feet cushioned and supported me through walking 10,000 steps a day, and 12 hours of walking, standing, and dancing at a music festival.—
Rylee Johnston,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
But hurry, these deals won’t last forever, and certain sizes and colors are already selling out.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
-
Congo said the contact tracing coverage rate is 56%, a sharp decrease from last week, as authorities hurry to find people who may have been exposed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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