lockstep

noun

lock·​step ˈläk-ˌstep 

often attributive

1

: a mode of marching in step by a body of persons going one after another as closely as possible

2

: a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly adhered to or that minimizes individuality

Phrases

in lockstep

: in perfect or rigid often mindless conformity or unison

politicians marching in lockstep with the party line

Synonyms

• drill
• grind
• groove
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• rut
• treadmill

Examples of lockstep in a Sentence

followed the lockstep that had been in his family for generations: prep school, Ivy League university, job on Wall Street

Recent Examples on the Web

Democrats can do little to stop the plan, except by forcing Republicans to vote nearly in lockstep to pass it. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2025

The three Asian countries plan to announce retaliatory tariffs in lockstep, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said Monday. —Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025

Most Democrats oppose the GOP bill, especially after their House colleagues voted nearly in lockstep to defeat it. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025

Republicans hold just a four-vote majority in the House of Representatives, meaning the GOP can afford to lose no more than one GOP vote if Democrats vote in lockstep against the spending bill. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lockstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

lockstep

noun

lock·​step -ˌstep 

: a way of marching in step in which the marchers are very close one behind the other