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
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Espada said he was scheduled to have a call with Imai before Thursday’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles to map out his next steps.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The full scope of the 1,200-plus objects will only be revealed when guests step through the museum doors into more than 100,000 square feet of gallery space on the first day of fall.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
And for a program that has spent years in tests and setbacks, that small step matters more than the length of the video.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Apr. 2026
Espada said he was scheduled to have a call with Imai before Thursday’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles to map out his next steps.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
Edwards did also drag his foot across the base, so whether Hamari saw that, or just never considered that Edwards might be stepping on a shoe rather than the base, the call was correct.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The full scope of the 1,200-plus objects will only be revealed when guests step through the museum doors into more than 100,000 square feet of gallery space on the first day of fall.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
The sudden cancellations effectively stranded hundreds of travelers, who were left scrambling for alternative means of transportation.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 May 2026
-
Implementing mass timber at scale means navigating property lines and managing infrastructure boundaries between private owners.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Maybe the stage in which lucid dreams occur doesn’t involve as many creative leaps.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
The sole non-performer to take the stage for an award was ASCAP’s Elizabeth Matthews, being honored as Executive of the Year, after an introduction from Kim Petras.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These days, about 400 lucky guests are invited to strut their stuff at the iconic event, following in the well-shod footsteps of invitees before them.—
Erika Harwood,
Vanity Fair,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, in June 2024, Kate exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about how Rani is following in her footsteps.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then Anunoby made sure there wouldn’t be any path back.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Bogaerts has been crafty on the base paths, recording four steals on four attempts.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
According to investigators, Anderson stands at about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
-
The 7-inch display has a high contrast ratio.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vander Luitgaren walked and Ryan Johnson then forced a 2-2 tie with an RBI single.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Guy struck out eight and walked.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Watch them dip and dance and make defenders miss all the way to New York.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
The group, which often performs outdoors in the summertime, was commissioned to create a new piece to be danced at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover underneath their tables.—
Alanna Durkin Richer,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Might as well hurry up and shoot.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
