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

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Example Sentences

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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

Throughout her reelection campaign, Bass has repeatedly touted two straight years of decreases in homelessness from 2024 to 2025 as one of her main arguments for why she should be given another four years by Angelenos.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Other states hit hard by the opioid epidemic also saw year-over-year decreases in fatal overdoses, including states that didn’t loosen Medicaid billing rules, like Tennessee and West Virginia.

— Alex Acquisto, ProPublica, 30 July 2026

Definition of decreases

Noun

This year, each city department was directed to prepare a budget with 5% reductions to its operating costs.

— Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Gamers lament that this is benefitting the companies while offering nothing to consumers with no price reductions in the cost of games, despite the supply-side savings.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of reductions

Noun

Elsewhere in Greece, flames threatened homes on Kefalonia, forcing evacuations from inland communities as aircraft made water drops over the Ionian island.

— Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
In some cases, water pressure drops, potentially allowing untreated groundwater to seep into pipes.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of drops

Noun

Jobs in movies and music actually grew during the month, by 9,900, to 332,700, reversing some previous declines and an encouraging sign amid worries of a production slump.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Prolonged drought conditions and exceptionally low snowpack have contributed to the significant declines in water levels at several Colorado River Basin reservoirs this year.

— Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of declines

Noun

The dings and dents this season had Schwarber, 33, rethinking that last month.

— Matt Gelb, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Both laminate and vinyl floors offer qualities that perform very well to prevent scratches, dents, and water damage, and as a result, both styles are go-to choices for homeowners who want that peace of mind.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 31 July 2026