STEPPING DOWN Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

stepping down

noun

as in retirement

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping down

Noun

Derek Mayer has come out of retirement to replace his retiring predecessor.

— Chris Tye, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Land could be in a crop retirement or rotation program, Moyle said.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026

Definition of retirement

Noun

If time permits, lock your home upon departure and disconnect utilities and appliances.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
Despite high-profile billionaire departures and complaints about costs, California is pulling in more than $335 billion in venture capital — about ten times New York — fueled by an AI boom.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

Spurs finished 17th in each of the past two seasons and, while Gordon and Isak leaving was frustrating, that was also understandable.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 1 July 2026
The students, who were taking their secondary school leaving examinations when they were attacked and abducted, are between 15 and 18 years old.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026

Definition of leaving

Noun

Sunday is expected to be the busiest day at O'Hare Airport, with more than 300,000 passengers arriving or departing.

— Lauren Victory, CBS News, 1 July 2026
While Schmid fills the role of a high-end backup, Florida still needs to acquire a starting-caliber goaltender prior to the start of the season with both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov departing.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Definition of departing

Noun

Stepping away from that life, even for a relatively small chunk in the grand scheme of things, isn’t an abdication of adulthood, but an investment in a life worth living.

— DJ Didonna, Time, 13 July 2026
Kelly framed Kobach’s decision to sign onto the consent decree request as an abdication of duty.

— Matthew Kelly Updated June 25, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

Definition of abdication

Noun

Let passengers exit the train before boarding This rule isn’t unique to Japan, but blocking the door or pushing against the exiting crowd is considered extremely impolite.

— Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
According to research firm Kpler, only seven ships on Friday passed through the strait — five entering and two exiting.

— Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 2 June 2026

Definition of exiting

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“Stepping down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20down. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepping down

noun

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