variants
or step downs
also stepdowns
as in drops
the amount by which something is lessened
took a huge step-down in income when she switched from a law career to one in social work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-downs
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics revisions show a sharp slowdown in payroll growth in the second quarter of 2025, with the biggest step-downs in low-wage industries such as retail, wholesale, leisure, and hospitality.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-downs
Noun
-
Ultimately, costly mistakes — a Miles Sanders red zone fumble in the third quarter and three drops from CeeDee Lamb in the fourth quarter — gave the Eagles a slim 24-20 victory.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Use warm water, a few drops of mild dish soap, and a soft cloth.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois led the declines, while just a few additional states saw price drops.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This research is notable for being one of the first long-term studies to quantify insect declines in a pristine environment relatively untouched by humans.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As a result, the agency announced that almost every route would experience reductions in service, with some facing elimination (including 50 bus routes, five regional rail lines, and one metro line).—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
For its second quarter, Kohl’s reported margin gains, expense reductions and merchandise improvements, and lifted its profit forecast for 2025.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The jail budget for 2026 has $117,000 in increases to four funds and $744,000 in decreases to three others, including the ending of the $300,000 Adult Community Corrections Grant that was cut by the state for 2026.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Prices across Louisville have generally followed the national trend, showing significant decreases from their peak in the first quarter of 2025.—
Olivia Evans,
The Courier-Journal,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The second series investigates deaths involving apparent falls from heights — examining whether victims were pushed from locations like balconies, cliffs and bridges.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Then, as evening falls, stroll along the canals or watch the sun melt into Øresund’s horizon—tracing wind turbines spinning in silhouette.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step-downs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-downs. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share