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
Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Let’s talk about the tone and direction of this new regime being set by this first step.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
After 19 seasons on the Bravo series, Lakshmi stepped away in 2023 and began developing her own cooking competition.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
The states also lost points in the assessment for failing to take steps to stop prediction markets like Kalshi, which let people essentially bet on the outcome of almost anything, from sports to wars.
—Suzanne King, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Let’s talk about the tone and direction of this new regime being set by this first step.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
From Easter brunch to graduations, weddings, job interviews and first office jobs, there are certain moments when young men need to step beyond hoodies and sneakers and reach for something a little more polished.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
After 19 seasons on the Bravo series, Lakshmi stepped away in 2023 and began developing her own cooking competition.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
Starting a garden means walking into a hardware store and facing walls of tools engineered to separate you from your cash.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Trump has tried to continue his tariffs via other means, although his latest across-the-board 15% tariff is limited to 150 days unless Congress votes to extend it.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Lithium refining is expensive and technologically complex, and most of the world’s midstream processing capacity remains concentrated in China, meaning Chinese firms dominate not only mining but also the chemical refining stage where much of the value is captured.—
Ray Mwayera,
semafor.com,
13 Mar. 2026
-
These workers control everything from individually steaming each stage curtain to rigging massive pieces of audio equipment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Honda’s following in the footsteps of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis in taking a massive bath on EVs.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
-
More than three decades later, Mike Benning is following in his dad’s footsteps.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hotel is also collaborating with government technical schools to develop a training program, contributing to educational advancement and offering a career path to residents.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Is there a path for states to keep pushing for a Live Nation breakup?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Storms also dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain and left piles of hail in the Grand Rapids area in western Michigan, said Alex Manion, a weather service meteorologist in Detroit.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The new Ozzy — named after her paternal grandfather, the former Black Sabbath frontman who died of a heart attack last July — clocked in a week ago at 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and 19 inches long, according to the photo.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The San Diego Trolley extension was completed in 2021 and riders can walk from the station down an escalator to the main mall.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
While the late Karl Lagerfield had a selection of male muses (Brad Kroenig and Baptiste Giabiconi walked his runways), an official foray into the menswear space never came to fruition.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Drink green beer, Jell-O shots and Shamrock Splash cocktails at participating restaurants and bars and dance along to mixes from a rotating list of DJs.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But for people like de la Vega, who danced with Sacramento Ballet as a child and later professionally, Cunningham wasn’t just a creative visionary.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The district was represented by general counsel Devora Navera Reed as well as by an outside counsel who hurried to the scene.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
But hurry—the sale ends tonight.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
