STEP DOWN (FROM) Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

step down (from)

verb

Definition of step down (from)

as in to leave

to give up (a job or office) with the advent of his 90th birthday, he could no longer resist calls for him to step down from chairmanship of the board

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to resign

to give up (as a position of authority) formally even in the face of a palace revolt, Queen Elizabeth I refused to step down from the throne

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for step down (from)

Verb

Lombardo declined to participate in an October candidate forum hosted by KUNR Public Radio, leaving Ford to appear alone.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey leaves the home of supporter Pam Carr Hagerman for more campaigning in West Dundee on July 22, 2022.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of leave

Verb

All of the tour’s other openers and Sheeran’s own backing band ended up quitting the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.

— William Earl, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
The number of workers quitting jobs — a barometer of their confidence to obtain new employment — spiked to levels not seen since March 2025.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of quit

Verb

Naruhito assumed the duties of emperor, a position with ceremonial roles but no political power, after his father Akihito abdicated earlier in the year.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
After both sisters had abdicated planning the memorial, logistical matters—the casket and its transport, the readings, and, yes, the flowers—had fallen to the front desk volunteer of a church my grandmother no longer attended.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of abdicate

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step-down

step down (from)

step-downs

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“Step down (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20down%20%28from%29. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of step down (from)

verb

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