Definition of stepnext
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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
as in footstep
the mark or impression made by a foot steps in the sand leading into the water and back out again

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in path
steps plural the direction along which something or someone moves their steps led them through a long corridor

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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

step

2 of 2

verb

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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
Noun
Calling 911 first gets help dispatched right away, and the dispatcher walks through the steps to take before professionals arrive. Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Complete your easy airport outfit with these best-selling Adidas sneakers that hold up during 20,000-step days. Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
The tennis ace stepped behind the club’s plush bar to serve his signature drink, Fritzy Spicy Margarita, and welcomed invitees with a rousing toast. Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 Messi, who was a superstar with European teams Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, is regarded as one of the greatest players to have stepped onto a soccer pitch. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
  • The power is in the hands of the owners of the means of production, and that is not the doctors.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • That’s well above 2025’s monthly average of 10,000 jobs, but below the monthly means for 2023 and 2024.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In the early stage of the trip, the twin-engine jets headed for Alaska and passed over Greenland, where an Airbus A400M support plane capable of landing on ice was stationed.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2026
  • But officials did not prioritize reusability in Vulcan’s design, with no plans to reuse the rocket’s booster stage and only tentative plans to eventually recover and reuse Vulcan’s main engines.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • George is following in the footsteps of father Prince William and uncle Prince Harry, who also attended the boarding school for boys.
    Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Still, Biden could be entertaining the prospect of following in his father’s footsteps with a 2028 presidential campaign.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Much of the league’s hopes for the future rest on the development of young talents like McKibbin, Josele Ballester, Caleb Surratt and Michael La Sasso, but who knows if those players want to commit to an unstable path.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Adan Figueroa, a high school counselor at Prosser Career Academy, has spent much of his career helping undocumented and immigrant students navigate the path to college.
    Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • At 6 feet 2 1/4 inches tall with almost 33-inch arms, Benefield has the rangy frame and athleticism that translates well to the field.
    Dane Brugler, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Plus, the 8-inch woofer blasts out thumping bass to get your blood pumping.
    George Yang, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Novak Djokovic, who won the 2011 men’s title, wore a FDNY hat during his walk-out and post-match celebration, to honor first responders.
    Lukas Weese, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Kiju looked at me, took my hand, and walked around the woman and out into the night air as those inside gasped and moved to help the vile woman.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Starting in the mid-1990s, on one fall night a year, West End Avenue was shut down to traffic while local synagogues of different denominations brought out Torahs to dance with in the streets.
    Amy Klein, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Traffic on East Wacker Drive remained stagnant for hours as people honked car horns, danced and cheered while waving Mexican flags in a crowd that was mostly peaceful, police said at the time.
    Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Razaullah, 21, is one of the three debutants hurried into the Pakistan side after seven of their players were sent home following the second Test defeat at Lord’s.
    Paul Newman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Almost three hours passed before the alert finally ended, and the couple hurried back inside.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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