1
as in walking
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in dancing
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
3
as in rushing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stepping
To ward off feelings of isolation, founders and top executives are stepping outside of the office to focus on improving their well-being.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
For me, stepping inside the domes was a reminder that imagination is a renewable resource.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Try box or stair stepping to increase aerobic conditioning, leg strength and balance.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Feid has been stepping deeper into the fashion space since becoming a Salomon ambassador in Spring 2024.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
In a story on The New York Post, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that stepping away from the game for good is a real possibility.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
After a year of development, King is stepping away from the proj.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
In a press conference, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about Vesia stepping away amid the World Series.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Young was playing some of the best football of his NFL career when a sack from a Jets defender — one that ended with defensive lineman Jowon Briggs stepping on Young’s calf, which prompted Young’s right-ankle tweak — took him out of the game.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2025
For me, stepping inside the domes was a reminder that imagination is a renewable resource.
—Melissa Jun Rowley, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Try box or stair stepping to increase aerobic conditioning, leg strength and balance.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Feid has been stepping deeper into the fashion space since becoming a Salomon ambassador in Spring 2024.
—Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025
In a story on The New York Post, MLB insider Jon Heyman reported that stepping away from the game for good is a real possibility.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
After a year of development, King is stepping away from the proj.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
In a press conference, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about Vesia stepping away amid the World Series.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Young was playing some of the best football of his NFL career when a sack from a Jets defender — one that ended with defensive lineman Jowon Briggs stepping on Young’s calf, which prompted Young’s right-ankle tweak — took him out of the game.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping
Verb
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The documents included disciplinary information and reportedly showed that Sherrill was barred from walking at her 1994 graduation after refusing to inform on classmates involved in a cheating scandal.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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But that left him skating off the ice and holding his head, walking through the Capitals’ bench and down the tunnel toward the dressing room.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There will be live entertainment and, we are assured, even dancing, if the spicy margaritas hit just right.—
Connie Ogle,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
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Hemsworth gets one big monologue, describing a nightmare in which Ciri is happily dancing with Death, and does a fine job with it.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Diego Pavia’s Heisman Trophy campaign certainly wasn’t bolstered by a stat line of 149 total yards, one rushing touchdown and one interception.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Thomas starred for the Vikings with 205 yards rushing on 16 carries and 3 TD runs of his own.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For now, economic heavyweights California and New York are treading water but could easily tip the scales.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
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There’s always comeuppance and tragedy when treading on the gods’s domain (see Frankenstein’s ending).—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, the children could be seen hurrying off the bus and onto the woman’s porch as the smoke grew.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Pedestrians are hurrying past to find their places on Fifth Avenue, but the girls have a different kind of readiness about them.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Theories about this abound—all have their evidentiary shortcomings—but Greenblatt agrees with a common one that sees Marlowe traveling to France and uncovering Catholic conspiracies against the Crown.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Two people could be seen climbing the stairs, accompanied by a confident cat trotting ahead, as if leading them somewhere on purpose.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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This is how Rauw’s globe-trotting tour came together.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The conservative backlash isn’t surprising, but we were still left genuinely puzzled by the unshakable belief that a lesbian nun is as far-fetched a notion as a flying elephant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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The wood-free Hyper Core composite walls are finished in automotive grade aluminum outer panels framed out via 11-gauge aluminum corner rails, protecting the trailer from low branches and flying debris.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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