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.
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Recent Examples of step
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said the team would give Misa some time to decompress before general manager Mike Grier decides the next step.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2025
In front of the Idaho State Capitol steps on Saturday morning, the street was lined with people waving American flags as historic military vehicles and military personnel both current and former made their way through downtown.
—Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
An upstairs-downstairs work of historical fiction with a premise farcical enough to fuel an Oscar Wilde play seems like a solid first step toward the genre.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said the team would give Misa some time to decompress before general manager Mike Grier decides the next step.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
The pop star has taken several social media breaks in recent years — briefly in 2021 and twice in 2022 — and has periodically stepped away from posting ever since.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2025
In front of the Idaho State Capitol steps on Saturday morning, the street was lined with people waving American flags as historic military vehicles and military personnel both current and former made their way through downtown.
—Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Manufacturers would also have to provide a means for first responders to access the car from outside when electric power is lost.—
Andrea Guzmán,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lenovo came out all guns blazing at CES 2026, using its biggest global stage yet to signal major leaps across devices, AI, and partnerships.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Johnson understands what this week signifies — with this playoff stage providing the opportunity to stamp greater legitimacy on the season.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer follow in the footsteps of Chloe x Halle, who were nominated for Ungodly Hour in 2021 and The Kids Are Alright in 2019.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The photos came several months after the musician revealed that his son was already following in his footsteps by learning how to drum.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
With less access to scholarships and aid, some students may elect to choose a different path of study, potentially sinking enrollment below the quotas set by the law enacted last year.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The park offers several hiking paths that explore caves along the base of the mountain and a trail that leads to the nearby town of Dénia.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The minimum size limit is 12 inches and the daily bag limit is 15 per angler.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The stark highlight started at her roots, just a few inches from her hairline, and wrapped around both sides of her head before joining together in the back.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After a few minutes Matty walked in and sat across from me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Phillips croons about a mother’s bond with her child as Swinton walks off, her character freshly wrecked by a visit with her son in prison.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Get ready to dance off your Thanksgiving dinner and kick off the holiday season with a night of funk, fun, and giving back.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Today the Moon in your sign is dancing with fair Venus creating pleasant feelings between you and everyone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mahomes spent the game on his backside, hurried or outright hit by rushers 15 times in all.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But hurry — the sale ends November 5.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
1 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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