STEPS Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

steps 1 of 2

noun

plural of step

as in path

the direction along which something or someone moves their steps led them through a long corridor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

steps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of step

as in walks

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Noun

Bendon wasn’t trying to get Ashbeck fired from her new employer, where Bendon had received care for 12 years, but asked the clinic to take steps to prevent unauthorized access to her records, Westbrook said. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026 The rail line, steps from the ocean in San Clemente, has been battered by storms and high tides. — Michele Gile, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026 Rhodes hit Orton with multiple Cross Rhodes and Orton’s head clipped the side of the steel steps that Rhodes had pushed into the ring. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026 In the far top left corner, a large toyon tree has become a focal point, with steps below it leading down to the flat ground. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026 Even though there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning rugs, our experts share actionable steps to protect your investment, handle spills, and know when to call a professional. — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026 After seven years of development, the next steps are to find a writer-showrunner and possibly attach cast before pitching to platforms next year. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026 First steps along that way are the Artemis missions, each of which is designed to return humans to the moon as soon as 2028. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2026 Yet over the past year, Netanyahu has taken steps that angered Trump and others in his administration, including strikes in Lebanon and Gaza that undercut his regional peace efforts. — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

And on this tour, Pineda steps to the side quite a few times to grab a breath and allow Cain, drummer Deen Castronovo, and keyboardist Jason Derlatka a chance to sing a song or two. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026 According to Shuter, the Royal Household has strict security protocols in place for anyone who steps foot in a royal home. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2026 The man steps outside onto a balcony and gazes up at the moon. — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026 As the exchange progresses, Andreatta crosses her arms and later places her hands in her pockets, while Pagano steps backward and holds his hands behind his back. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026 Flavio Bolsonaro steps off a plane after arriving at Opa Locka Executive Airport in Miami, Florida on October 28, 2026. — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 However, little is known about what steps the new winner will take. — Radmilo Marković, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026 The vehicle then accelerates forward as an officer steps toward it with his gun drawn. — Dan Gallo, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026 Rooms With the Hanoi Opera House just steps away, each of Capella Hanoi's 47 rooms and suites imagines the private quarters of an opera legend. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps

Noun

The play changed the momentum of the game and in many ways paved the path for the Panthers’ third consecutive loss and the Broncos’ fifth consecutive win.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2026
Localized and shallow flooding of beach parking lots, bike paths, and walkways.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of path

Verb

In the club, Matt dances with other girls and, with Fraser’s encouragement, Kaylee kisses a random guy in front of Matt.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
After all, The Wicker Husband dances proudly with his wife in front of everyone, satisfies her enough to break their bed, and then fixes said bed without being asked.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dances

Verb

The measure speeds permitting approval under the California Environmental Quality Act by placing deadlines on government agencies to issue or deny permits within a year.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Each landed as Meta, a Fortune 500 company that reported $201 billion in revenue last year, speeds up a shift from human reviewers to large language models.

— Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of speeds

Verb

Trump treads carefully The leaders last met in Beijing just four months ago, and could meet twice more later this year.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Through rapid-fire verbal repartee, constant close-ups, and frantic cuts, Deramas treads a careful line between tragedy and comedy, the latter a psychological weapon against the former.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of treads

Verb

If someone hurries you, slow the exchange and name what feels good in your body, like sitting down before deciding on plans.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
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

Definition of hurries

Noun

This also had a boat trip included, a lovely way to cool off after a day walking Barcelona’s lanes.

— Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026
Charlotte won the rebound battle 51 to 44, but left the Pistons open way too often and were sloppy with the ball, committing 25 turnovers.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026