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

The receiver’s departure was bigger news than center Drew Dalman’s retirement, but the latter arguably hurt Chicago more (Dalman was coming off his first Pro Bowl and is just 27 years old).

— Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Upon his retirement, Spiezio dove straight back into alcohol and cocaine.

— Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of retirement

Noun

At 11/2, Liverpool are third-favourites to win the 2026/27 Premier League title, reflecting how much talent is still at the club even after the departure of some key figures.

— Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
Sacramento Regional Transit will adjust six bus routes beginning Sunday, including delaying departure times and eliminating one early-morning trip from Florin.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of departure

Noun

Why leaving room for changes matters Weather, closures and travel delays can rewrite an itinerary overnight.

— Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
There have been other senior exec exits, with All3 COO Sara Geater and Group Director of Corporate Development Steven Brown leaving.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 July 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

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

Noun

Outside of Europe, so far only Jordan – one of a handful of countries not to have signed a letter of support for Infantino’s reelection prior to this crisis – has publicly called for Infantino’s resignation.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
More often, though, the mood is more one of resignation to a hardscrabble existence that also has its pleasures.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of resignation

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“Stepping down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20down. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of stepping down

noun

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