STEP-DOWN Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

step-down

noun

ˈstep-ˌdau̇n

Definition of step-down

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

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-down Just beyond its foyer, a step-down living room with a fireplace offers a view of the lake, while a dining room (also with a fireplace) spills out onto a balcony overlooking the water. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for step-down

Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-down

Noun

Preliminary findings indicated a measurable reduction in particulate emissions associated with contrail formation when the G800 operated on the fuel.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
More than 800 members of United Steelworkers Local 7-1 are embroiled in a contract fight with BP over pay and job reductions.

— Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of reduction

Noun

Kuna residents would pay $20 more per $100,000 of property value in their taxes, while Nampa would see a decrease of $2 per $100,000, according to Nampa Fire Protection District Chief Kirk Carpenter.

— Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026
While this natural decrease is not unique to Florida, its social, economic and demographic impacts may be more pronounced if the state is no longer a migrant magnet.

— Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

Changes over the seven days ranged from a drop of 5% to an increase of 2%.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
Another investigator testified that the distance from the apparent sniper's perch to the tent where Kirk was speaking was about 410 feet, with a 68-foot vertical drop.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Definition of drop

Noun

If inflation is outpacing nominal interest rates, the real return on bonds and other income-producing assets declines or even becomes negative.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 July 2026
This decline has pinched profit margins in the 401(k) world, said Kai Richter, an attorney with Cohen Milstein who has long specialized in ERISA class-action cases.

— Paul Kiel, ProPublica, 8 July 2026