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
Sophie Benson, Vogue, 28 May 2026
The practical next step is connecting AI to where deal data already lives.
—Rusty Wiley, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Joseph Person, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Into this toxic environment step two young people who briefly glimpse the possibility of something better—only for the surrounding culture of hatred, honor, and impulsivity to destroy them both.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
But a flurry of recent releases go one step further, tapping into brands that have built their reputations on sustainability.
—Sophie Benson, Vogue, 28 May 2026
The practical next step is connecting AI to where deal data already lives.
—Rusty Wiley, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
Verb
It’s been 19 weeks since the Carolina Panthers last stepped on the practice field, at least for drills with 11-on-11 segments that looked like actual football.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Into this toxic environment step two young people who briefly glimpse the possibility of something better—only for the surrounding culture of hatred, honor, and impulsivity to destroy them both.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
As the saying goes, failure to prepare means preparing to fail–and the most successful dressers tend to have a practical streak.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
-
All of this comes after reports that Lauren Sánchez is trying to help Bezos reshape his public image, and part of that for her means going out and meeting with people.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
The three of us walked onto the stage and sat down in black leather armchairs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 May 2026
-
Here's a look at which performers have pulled out and those that are still set to take the stage.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
And much unlike her native coast, Guizio will follow in the footsteps of Skims, PrettyLittleThing and Alo Yoga, and embrace billboard advertising.—
Dahvi Shira,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Alcaraz, 23 — whose recent Vanity Fair cover had social media buzzing — seems to be following in the footsteps of his compatriot.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Name the pattern, refine the message, and choose the path that expands your reach.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
26 May 2026
-
The path towards peace remains challenging.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Not at this pace Listed at 7 feet 4 inches, Wembanyama has 3 inches on all-time leading rebounder Wilt Chamberlain.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Check the soil’s moisture, and water if the top few inches are dry.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The Twins then broke the stalemate in the 11th inning when Brooks Lee sent a bases-clearing double deep to right field, bringing home Ryan Kreidler, the automatic runner, as well as Luke Keaschall and Byron Buxton, who had singled and walked respectively, before Lee stepped to the plate.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
27 May 2026
-
Over these first five games, Marte has gone 11-for-22 against San Francisco’s pitching staff with three homers, one being of the walk-off variety.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
In an Instagram carousel shared earlier this month, Alba posted a series of photos of her and her friends enjoying time on a boat, including pictures of them lounging in their bikinis, dancing, going down the slide and jet skiing.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
-
Colorado, with an extra man, was already a hard watch with a healthy Cale Makar dancing along the blue line.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Don’t let the weekend pass without shopping these summer must-haves at Lululemon, and hurry, because popular styles are going fast.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
