1
as in leaving
to give up (a job or office)
a newscaster who knew when it was time to step aside from the anchor desk and let a younger person take over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in resigning
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the prime minister was compelled to step aside from his office when it was demonstrated that he had violated the public trust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping aside (from)
Verb
-
Limited backup power could knock out internet access, leaving millions to wait for instant answers.—
Jamie Yuccas,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026 -
Vatti said Diamantis made an $80,000 payment on the day after signing the retainer and made an additional six payments totalling $105,000 between August 2024 and February 2025, leaving the $65,000 balance.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Runcie ended up resigning in 2021, after a statewide grand jury indicted him on a perjury charge.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Instead of resigning yourself to this mess, this hanging toiletry bag is an excellent storage hack that will keep everything from hair products to skincare in one neat, easy-to-locate pouch.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.—
ELIZABETH ECONOMY,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Dec. 2025
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After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Charlotte Moore has made her first statement hire since quitting the BBC to join The Crown producer Left Bank.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
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Ariana Grande is opening up about nearly quitting music.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
25 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Stepping aside (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20aside%20%28from%29. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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