as in reduction
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of step-down
Men tend to age slowly with little step-downs, and women tend to have very sudden changes.
—
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 27 Jan. 2026
So when people are already experiencing this type of knee pain, doing quad-dominant exercises—like a forward lunge, step-down, or squat—can place even more stress on the knee and exacerbate symptoms.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 24 Dec. 2025
Some lenders use a step-down structure, such as 2% in the first year and 1% in the second.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Kerri Wilson is a registered nurse working on a medical cardiology step-down unit at Mission.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 27 Jan. 2026
So when people are already experiencing this type of knee pain, doing quad-dominant exercises—like a forward lunge, step-down, or squat—can place even more stress on the knee and exacerbate symptoms.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 24 Dec. 2025
Some lenders use a step-down structure, such as 2% in the first year and 1% in the second.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Kerri Wilson is a registered nurse working on a medical cardiology step-down unit at Mission.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-down
Noun
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The reason for the decline is largely attributable to a dramatic reduction in pregnancies among teens and young women — in part due to more accessible contraception — coupled with economic instability from the Great Recession, Marquez said.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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Today, global trade governance is increasingly shaped by sustainability requirements, supply chain traceability, carbon reduction targets, compliance standards and digital transparency.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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There was also a decrease in amniotic fluid, which protects the fetus and provides other benefits during pregnancy, the zoo said.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
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Only 28% said Trump has handled the cost of living well, a six-point decrease since January, while the share of Republicans who said Trump has handled the cost of living well has declined 14 points since the beginning of the year.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
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That 10-goal swing explains most of the standings drop.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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That excellent start to the season had rapidly become a useful buffer against the drop.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
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SoftBank Group dropped over 10% amid a broader decline in Asia tech stocks.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
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Consistent short sleep, however, has been linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning, while chronic sleep deprivation is associated with more serious long-term health risks.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
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This is the latest state-level step to put a dent in the unbridled permitting of AI giving out mental health advice that is wildly over-the-line.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Caesars faces mounting pressure as fewer visitors to Las Vegas — its core market — dent revenue at resorts, hotels and casinos, while its online betting arm trails larger rivals like FanDuel and DraftKings and faces growing competition from prediction markets.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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