1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
took steps to ensure that there would be no more incidences of food poisoning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stage
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking
the manual enumerates every step in the procedure for shutting down the assembly line
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
5
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
he lives just a step away from his elderly mother, so he's there if she needs him for any reason
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to walk
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dance
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 to hurry
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 step
Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 May 2025
SpaceX took steps to minimize the chances that the problem would recur on Flight 8.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 May 2025
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 May 2025
All that off-grid, all-terrain focus lets the Lineage VT's American roots shine, but stepping through the sliding rear door is like taking a quick trip across the Atlantic.
—New Atlas, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
Zuckerberg also has taken steps to improve his relationship with President Donald Trump.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 May 2025
SpaceX took steps to minimize the chances that the problem would recur on Flight 8.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
In light of these developments, the president appears to have made the rare decision to step away from the keyboard and refrain from commenting on any of the courts’ decisions.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 May 2025
All that off-grid, all-terrain focus lets the Lineage VT's American roots shine, but stepping through the sliding rear door is like taking a quick trip across the Atlantic.
—New Atlas, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
The allegations stem from when Tate was living in England from 2013 to 2015, which was during the early stages of launching an adult webcam business.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
-
The upper stages of both Falcons are expendable, but SpaceX has gotten very good at churning out that complicated piece of hardware.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Following in the footsteps of President Donald Trump’s crypto strategy, Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, is raising $2.5 billion to build a corporate bitcoin reserve.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
-
GameStop is following in the footsteps of software company MicroStrategy, now known as Strategy, which bought billions of dollars worth of bitcoin in recent years to become the largest corporate holder of the flagship cryptocurrency.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
And company executives said that taking a slow and steady path to the moon can offer Ispace some long-term advantages.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
4 June 2025
-
The settlement also cleared a path for the operator to permanently shutter all services aside from the emergency and behavioral health at Rockville General Hospital in Vernon, The CT Mirror reported.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Ouellette won the 1,600 title (Martin was second) and another senior Oliver Guzy won the long jump (22 feet, 3 ¼ inches) was second in the 300 hurdles.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
1 June 2025
-
Even just 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
When New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza intentionally walked a pinch-hitting Freddie Freeman in front of him in a tie game in the eighth inning, there wasn’t much consternation.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
As the show airs, fans get to cast votes for their favorite couples, and one winning pair walks away with $100,000.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Steamy kisses and a Billie Eilish sweep The American Music Awards had it all: dancing, kissing, and even a family surprise.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
-
Created by Simon Cowell, the show features performers from across the country and around the world auditioning for the judges to showcase a variety of talents, from singing and dancing to magic and stunts.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Snag a pair before the sale ends on May 26 at 8 a.m. Eastern, and hurry, because popular styles and sizes are sure to fly off the (virtual) shelves.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
23 May 2025
-
Aunt Phoebe hurries the girls home — to their residences and to the Red Center — before any cloak-red blood gets spilled.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
As a measure of how dormant the rivalry is, the two teams have not faced each other since 2008 — a year before Thomas Muller, who will leave Bayern this summer as their record appearance-maker with 751 (so far), had even made his competitive debut.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
In 2015, lawmakers in the state Assembly approved a measure that would have restricted the use of drones over private property without the owner’s permission.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share