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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Recent Examples of step-down
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
In an update on Monday, the Fort Worth Fire Department said that Halvorson has been moved from the ICU to a step-down room in the burn unit at Parkland.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step-down
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
In an update on Monday, the Fort Worth Fire Department said that Halvorson has been moved from the ICU to a step-down room in the burn unit at Parkland.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-down
Noun
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These efficiency gains mean that hybrids using the Amorphous Motor in their powertrains will see a 1% reduction in fuel and power consumption compared to those using existing motor designs, helping automotive OEMs deliver a new generation of low-emission vehicle models, as per the release.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
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The changes were slight — reductions of just one-tenth of a second and one-half of a mile to a solar lap spanning two years and hundreds of millions of miles, according to the scientists.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Estimates then included a $79 million decrease in sales taxes.—
Bryan P. Sears,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Mar. 2026
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The average home value in Elk Grove is currently $624,443, according to Zillow, which represents a slight decrease from the prior year.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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All areas in the Los Angeles region will experience a slight cooling on Saturday, with the coast and valleys seeing a possible 5- to 10-degree drop.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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Abiqua Falls — known for its 92-foot (28-meter) vertical drop over a columnar basalt cliff — has been privately owned for over a century but open to the public.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Global art markets saw modest growth in 2025 after two years of decline — but the recovery is partial and fragile.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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Asia-Pacific markets fell Thursday, with Japan's Nikkei 225 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 leading the declines.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even our coldest colds can no longer make a dent in record-setting heat.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
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Once sworn in, Holladay will become the 20th Democrat in the 100-member House, only making a small dent in the Republican supermajority.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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