1
as in walks
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in dances
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 speeds
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 steps
José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Similarly, millions of women whose married names don't match with the name on their birth certificates or passports would face extra steps just to make their voices heard, the Brennan Center cautions.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.
—Kendall Hunter, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Many systems require special coatings, structural modifications, or complex fabrication steps to make the fibers responsive.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
During the past several months, execs have taken steps to wean themselves from NBCU, decamping to a new Midtown Manhattan corporate headquarters and making deals with a number of other suppliers for news, sports and entertainment programming.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
The court will determine the next steps, whether that’s additional trial proceedings or settlements.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Taking a few extra steps now can spare you months or even years of stress later.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Watch the video above to see Tashia’s joy and disbelief when Chris steps inside!
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The South Side Irish Parade will steps off at noon March 15 at 103rd Street and Western Avenue in Beverly.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Next Generation As McMillon steps away, another company veteran is stepping up.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
With rumors swirling around the league, Jamahl Mosley‘s squad is aware of what could happen before the team steps on the Kia Center court to take on the Nets hours after the deadline.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
The spa Enchantment doesn’t have its own spa, but fear not, because merely steps away at the Mii Amo resort (also owned by the Enchantment Group) is an award-winning spa that Enchantment guests can take advantage of.
—Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Among them are tens of students at the academy at La Scala, Milan and Italy’s most prestigious opera house, who Wednesday morning practiced their choreography in a heated white tent, steps away from San Siro.
—Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Pretti steps backward away from the confrontation while appearing to yell at an agent.
—Kif Leswing,terri Cullen, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Noun
Almost all of them include whirlpool baths on their terraces; those that don’t instead have semi-private pools just a few steps from the bed.
—José Cantillo Ferrer, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Feb. 2026
Similarly, millions of women whose married names don't match with the name on their birth certificates or passports would face extra steps just to make their voices heard, the Brennan Center cautions.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
The tech driving my first clumsy steps included a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) and GPS sensors monitoring each ski’s position and the weight and angle of my heel.
—Kendall Hunter, Outside, 14 Feb. 2026
Many systems require special coatings, structural modifications, or complex fabrication steps to make the fibers responsive.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
What steps, if any, should Congress take regarding artificial intelligence, including regulation and/or safeguards?
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
During the past several months, execs have taken steps to wean themselves from NBCU, decamping to a new Midtown Manhattan corporate headquarters and making deals with a number of other suppliers for news, sports and entertainment programming.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2026
The court will determine the next steps, whether that’s additional trial proceedings or settlements.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
Taking a few extra steps now can spare you months or even years of stress later.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
Everyone who steps foot through their doors is seen, served, and heard.
—Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
Watch the video above to see Tashia’s joy and disbelief when Chris steps inside!
—Ronnie Li, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
The South Side Irish Parade will steps off at noon March 15 at 103rd Street and Western Avenue in Beverly.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
The Next Generation As McMillon steps away, another company veteran is stepping up.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026
With rumors swirling around the league, Jamahl Mosley‘s squad is aware of what could happen before the team steps on the Kia Center court to take on the Nets hours after the deadline.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
The spa Enchantment doesn’t have its own spa, but fear not, because merely steps away at the Mii Amo resort (also owned by the Enchantment Group) is an award-winning spa that Enchantment guests can take advantage of.
—Asonta Benetti, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Among them are tens of students at the academy at La Scala, Milan and Italy’s most prestigious opera house, who Wednesday morning practiced their choreography in a heated white tent, steps away from San Siro.
—Claudio Lavanga, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Pretti steps backward away from the confrontation while appearing to yell at an agent.
—Kif Leswing,terri Cullen, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps
Noun
-
Tateishi found his path to activism in the 1970s, as anger swelled among young former detainees about their imprisonment, which the government had yet to acknowledge as an injustice.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But the path to income-tax repeal could actually be even simpler, by using surplus revenue to automatically reduce it over time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
During warmer months, when the path is crowded with tourists in leisure mode, anyone who walks with a purpose should avoid the Bridge at all costs.—
Katie James Watkinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
In another clip, the person walks up to the home, head down, wearing a dark zip-up jacket, light pants, a backpack, and what appears to be a weapon in a holster hanging around their waist.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now, Josie dances this crazy explosion in front of her.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Far less persuasive are the uses of spontaneous modern dance sequences, whether in the flashback montages, or when Josie suddenly dances forcefully first to spite her mother whilst arguing in her studio, and later in a reconciliation scene.—
David Katz,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Starting with cake mix is a clever shortcut that not only speeds up the baking progress, but yields a cookie with an extra supple texture.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
-
That speeds up the process and allows more patients to be seen in the same amount of time.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Residents who aren't participating gather at houses along the route to feast and dance.—
Carlie Procell,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
On Melrose Place in West Hollywood, Mona Seresht spotted a pink and orange Coco Robotics bot struggling through a flooded street on its delivery route.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That could skew the monetary policy outlook, which treads a delicate balance.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Equipped with a hammer and a bucket to remove water from the manholes, Arredondo checks the water meters to determine each home’s consumption and always treads carefully to avoid slipping on the ice.—
Imelda García,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Nix almost always hurries his throws when a blitz comes Harvey’s way, regardless of whether the rookie RB picks it up capably or not.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
23 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The unusual building is even more complex and fascinating when viewed up close, so take time to walk all the way around it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Although he did not get paid time and a half for playing 27 holes instead of the normal 18, a healthy check will come his way Sunday afternoon if Penge can hold his position.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
