STEP-DOWNS Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

step-downs

noun

variants or step downs also stepdowns

plural of step-down

as in decreases

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-downs Some of the incumbent step-downs were due to the pursuit of a new job; in other cases, fresh initiatives dictated change. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 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 Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics revisions show a sharp slowdown in payroll growth in the second quarter of 2025, with the biggest step-downs in low-wage industries such as retail, wholesale, leisure, and hospitality. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-downs

Noun

Anyone who has spent a career in and around tech will be aware of Moore's Law—the phenomenon observed by Gordon Moore in the 1960s that, as computing power increases, its cost decreases.

— Rupert Lee-Browne, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Provides Anti-Inflammatory Effects Research indicates that the long-term use (8 weeks) of kefir was linked with decreases in inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, which impact heart health.

— Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 29 June 2026

Definition of decreases

Noun

Realtors across the region say crime fears continue to plague economic activity downtown, even with the city reaching historic lows in homicides last year and seeing crime reductions across the board since 2024.

— Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
The retailer has since used the findings in discussions with its ocean carriers to secure immediate cost reductions, and agreed to incorporate the benchmark into future transportation tenders and contract negotiations, the company said.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Definition of reductions

Noun

Crews were working on strengthening containment lines and at least one helicopter remained to support firefighters with water drops.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Tan-Luxe’s formula transforms your moisturizer or hydrating serum into a customizable self-tanner—a few drops mixed into your favorite skin-care product develop into a natural-looking glow.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 July 2026

Definition of drops

Noun

Other restaurants associated with lettuce, such as Chopt, Panera Bread and Sweetgreen also saw declines on July 11, compared to average traffic rates, the data firm said.

— Mike Snider, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Such declines can impact muscle strength, bone density, and libido, potentially causing fatigue and weakness.

— Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Definition of declines

Noun

Look Look for a firm watermelon that is free from bruises, cuts or dents.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 15, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
Cars have destroyed one-third of the roughly 70 planters the city installed back in 2020 and marred the survivors with chips, scratches and dents.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026