Synonyms of stepped

stepped 1 of 2

adjective

as in tapered

Related Words

• tapered
• phased
• gradual
• piecemeal
• progressive
• step-by-step
• gradational
• incremental
• imperceptible
• inching
• decrescent
• increscent

Dissimilar Words

• sudden
• abrupt
• sharp
• acute
• discontinuous
• dynamic
• volatile
• saltatory
• changeable
• meteoric

stepped

2 of 2

verb

past tense of step

1

as in walked

to go on foot

I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner

Synonyms & Similar Words

• walked
• strolled
• wandered
• padded
• sauntered
• marched
• traipsed
• trod
• strode
• trotted
• shuffled
• ambulated
• footed (it)
• trekked
• legged (it)
• hiked
• paced
• stomped
• trooped
• promenaded
• ambled
• tiptoed
• paraded
• trampled
• hoofed (it)
• tapped
• stepped out
• trudged
• stumbled
• lurched
• pranced
• sashayed
• limped
• hobbled
• clumped
• waddled
• strutted
• stalked
• tramped
• moseyed
• staggered
• stumped
• faltered
• rambled
• swaggered
• shambled
• toddled
• minced
• power walked
• plodded
• tripped
• bounced
• scuffed
• tromped
• perambulated
• peregrinated
• gimped
• lumbered
• pussyfooted
• footslogged
• pounded
• nipped

2

as in danced

to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music

she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

• danced
• shuffled
• footed (it)
• strutted
• waltzed
• pranced
• hoofed (it)
• shook a leg
• bopped
• tripped
• tripped the light fantastic
• shimmied
• jigged
• boogied
• tap-danced
• shagged
• jitterbugged
• trod
• jived
• tangoed
• fox-trotted
• twisted
• mamboed
• gavotted
• polkaed

3

as in sped

to proceed or move quickly

many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sped
• hurried
• rushed
• scurried
• trotted
• raced
• traveled
• flew
• jumped
• drove
• zipped
• chased
• ran
• scooted
• buzzed
• blew
• darted
• dashed
• bolted
• blasted
• scuttled
• hustled
• ripped
• rammed
• whirled
• zoomed
• tore
• bowled
• hurled
• jogged
• hastened
• blazed
• hurtled
• barreled
• rustled
• whisked
• bustled
• humped
• careened
• rocketed
• breezed
• shot
• bundled
• nipped
• careered
• jetted
• motored
• cracked (on)
• hied
• coursed
• pelted
• galloped
• belted
• beat it
• bombed
• stepped on it
• cannonballed
• highballed
• hared
• flitted
• shook a leg
• made tracks
• scampered
• sprinted
• got a move on
• streaked
• scuffled
• hotfooted (it)
• whizzed
• accelerated
• stampeded
• scudded
• stepped out
• overtook
• quickened
• beetled
• outpaced
• caught up
• outstripped
• outran
• arrowed
• beelined
• fast-forwarded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• crawled
• crept
• dragged
• poked
• lingered
• lagged
• poked
• strolled
• hung (around or out)
• sauntered
• shuffled
• loitered
• ambled
• tarried
• dallied
• plodded
• lumbered
• dawdled
• slowed (down or up)
• decelerated
• dillydallied

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of stepped

Verb

There was a fresh wave of boos each time Acuña stepped to the plate after. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Carroll also stepped on its foot a bit, botching a punt that set up Smith’s first score. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Here's a look at several celebrities who stepped away from the spotlight for years before finding their way back to the screen. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Machine aerators are rolled over the lawn like a mower, and handheld versions are stepped on like a shovel. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026

The sisters stepped away from the public eye at the height of their acting fame, going on to found their luxury fashion house, The Row, in 2005. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

The tennis ace stepped behind the club’s plush bar to serve his signature drink, Fritzy Spicy Margarita, and welcomed invitees with a rousing toast. — Paul Chi, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Messi, who was a superstar with European teams Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, is regarded as one of the greatest players to have stepped onto a soccer pitch. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

The penalty was awarded after video review determined that Portland forward Pietra Tordin was stepped on by Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026