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.
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Recent Examples of step
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
Boston catcher Connor Wong threw to third base, but shortstop Trevor Story stepped on the bag.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
On the front steps, insults daubed in spray paint were directed at both Mayor Karen Bass and President Trump.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
After the fire is fully contained, the next step is to control it.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
Science and reason get stepped on by half-truths and conspiracy theories.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025
Boston catcher Connor Wong threw to third base, but shortstop Trevor Story stepped on the bag.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
Shohei Ohtani is there as well, in the late stages of Tommy John surgery rehab that could be completed just after the All Star break.—
Tony Blengino,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Instead, Lloyd employed a bare stage and an ensemble of actors dressed all in black.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Little Simz follows in the footsteps of music icon Chaka Khan–who curated Meltdown in 2024–and takes the reins for the festival’s 30th anniversary edition.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Sarah Snook, who played Shiv Roy on that HBO drama, was nominated (and went on to win!), following in the footsteps of her costars Jeremy Strong and Keiran Culkin.—
Melissa Locker,
Time,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Investigators believed the person who killed Betsy Faria took the dog outside after she was stabbed, the probable cause said, and blood was cleaned up from the path between the victim and the patio door.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
Divorce can feel like an octopus whose tentacles are hard at work sucking in whatever prey is in its path.—
Lisa Zeiderman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Ouellette won the 1,600 title (Martin was second) and another senior Oliver Guzy won the long jump (22 feet, 3 ¼ inches) was second in the 300 hurdles.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
-
Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
When New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza intentionally walked a pinch-hitting Freddie Freeman in front of him in a tie game in the eighth inning, there wasn’t much consternation.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Other actions include obstructing a golf course path that Orthodox residents used to walk to a nearby synagogue on Saturdays and religious holidays and campaigning against efforts to create kosher food services in the development, the suit claims.—
Ron Hurtibise,
Sun Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
As the track blasted, Parker occasionally clapped along and danced in place.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
-
Our man is an accountant skipping out on a day of work who winds up in a busy square and, inexplicably, begins to dance to the beat of a drumming busker.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
At one point, the guide hurried her group past an object in the distance.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2025
-
The Democrats running for governor in 2026 hurried among caucus meetings, floor speeches and after-parties, telling their personal stories and talking up their bona fides for tackling some of California’s most entrenched problems, including housing affordability and the rising cost of living.—
Laura J. Nelson,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Noun
-
In 2015, lawmakers in the state Assembly approved a measure that would have restricted the use of drones over private property without the owner’s permission.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
-
As a measure of how dormant the rivalry is, the two teams have not faced each other since 2008 — a year before Thomas Muller, who will leave Bayern this summer as their record appearance-maker with 751 (so far), had even made his competitive debut.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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