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

Astaire’s dance steps are always directional, carrying him somewhere and toward something—the girl, the boat, the park bench. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 The four plaintiffs argued that the city failed to take steps to prevent further lead from entering the water supply and gave residents false assurance that the water was safe. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026 When Cornelius Vanderbilt took steps to break up a railroad monopoly along the Hudson River in 1867, he was praised as a public benefactor. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Calling 911 first gets help dispatched right away, and the dispatcher walks through the steps to take before professionals arrive. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 The state’s sudden reversal caused rapid reactions from law enforcement agencies — some immediately complying, others unsure of the next steps. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 Boone said the final few steps for Judge’s return include building up his workload because he has been sidelined for over three months with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026 The Mamdani administration has taken encouraging steps, including offering free naloxone by mail through its Just in Case campaign and investing $12 million to train and employ 500 additional peer specialists. — Joel Teron, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 Here’s how to start in 3 simple steps How long will $1 million last in retirement? — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Verb

In her video, the man steps between the agents and one of the women. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Celender is a founding donor of the newly redone Huizenga Park, steps away from the 9/11 memorial on the Riverwalk. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Blanding was pregnant with her first child at the time, and the sisters quickly began imagining what life could look like with their separate homes just steps away from each other. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 Here, the five-course tasting menu is based around what’s fresh on the farm, just steps away. — Mark Johansen, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026 As a result of her refusal, the entire kingdom is cursed to live without love and anyone who steps foot inside it is also cursed. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 Its new Grok Bot can take control of a computer and carry out digital work on its own, even after the user steps away. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026 It’s supposed to be a portal that Kris steps through to get into Billy’s world of play that she’s constructed, almost this fantasy world. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 Here, members of Forbes Technology Council share steps tech leaders can take to build teams where everyone can participate, grow and thrive. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps

Noun

Much of the league’s hopes for the future rest on the development of young talents like McKibbin, Josele Ballester, Caleb Surratt and Michael La Sasso, but who knows if those players want to commit to an unstable path.

— Brody Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Adan Figueroa, a high school counselor at Prosser Career Academy, has spent much of his career helping undocumented and immigrant students navigate the path to college.

— Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of path

Noun

Even though his only preseason success came on straight go balls that didn’t test his route running, coaches have professed faith in the 2025 third-round pick.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Yemeni government military sources said the Houthis had gained further leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern outlet of the Red Sea and one of the world's most important shipping routes, and had reached the islands of Hanish.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of route

Verb

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
Speaking of the houseboat, the finale treads some familiar ground for Lewis.

— Hunter Ingram, Variety, 1 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

And talk about schlock, surely there was something if not exactly schlocky then definitely sensationalist about Marcia’s way of eviscerating an artist or an event.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
For the styling, the pair brought in Albrecht Goertz, a designer who was still some way from becoming a household name in automotive design.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2026