STEPPING Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

stepping

verb

present participle of step

as in walking

to go on foot I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

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

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 stepping Leavitt returned from maternity leave in mid-July after temporarily stepping away from her post in April. — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026 Now, with Haunted Heist, his feature directorial debut, Howery is stepping behind the camera while also starring in and executive producing the horror comedy. — Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, are planning to move back to the United Kingdom more than six years after stepping away from their roles as senior working members of Britain's royal family, ABC News confirmed this week. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Salaün went sprawling, rolling her ankle after stepping on the foot of Lynx center Natasha Howard. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The couple and their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, are reportedly returning six years after stepping away from their senior royal roles and moving to California in 2020, according to People and The Telegraph. — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 After stepping away from her signature role, Rae continued to make guest appearances on TV shows such as ER, Pretty Little Liars, and Girl Meets World. — James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026 Research has shown that meaningful social relationships are an important part of overall health and, for some participants, simply stepping outside their comfort zones can be a confidence boost. — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Bryce Eldridge started his day by turning a one-man double play at first base after handling a sharp grounder and tagging out the runner retreating to first while stepping on the bag. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping

Verb

Review There are sprawling meadows made for picnicking, walking trails that snake through dense forests, and a picturesque lake.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
The video, released by Ukraine’s prosecutor general, clearly shows a person in a black bucket hat, a lose dark jumper and a large white tote bag, walking up the street and placing a black backpack on the doorstep of Yermolaiev’s home.

— Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of walking

Verb

That’s how Drake Maye ended his latest two-minute drill at Patriots training camp Monday, a meandering march that began around midfield and ended with Maye hurrying the offense to the 3-yard line with 10 seconds on the clock.

— Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
Set over the course of eight years (including the lockdown period during COVID), Herry’s film unfolds fluidly, neither hurrying scenes up unnecessarily, nor lingering too long on any incident.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 17 May 2026

Definition of hurrying

Verb

Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir will lead an official delegation traveling to Tehran on Monday, Iranian state television reported, citing Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Early Friday morning, rock band Buckcherry was involved in a car crash while traveling for its Roar Like Thunder Tour.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of traveling

Verb

The referee’s visual countdown may prove worthless if the player trotting off has his back to the official, which will invariably be the case.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Despite its globe-trotting kidnapping plot, much of the movie’s tension comes down to people in rooms trying to persuade an old man to part with his money.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026