sidestep

1 of 2

verb

side·​step ˈsīd-ˌstep 

sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps

transitive verb

1

: bypass, evade

sidestep a question

2

: to move out of the way of : avoid

sidestep a blow

intransitive verb

1

: to take a side step

2

: to avoid an issue or decision

sidestepper noun

side step

2 of 2

noun

1

: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid a blow)

2

: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on skis)

Synonyms

Verb

• beat
• bypass
• circumvent
• dodge
• get around
• shortcut
• skirt

Examples of sidestep in a Sentence

Verb

She sidestepped the reporter's question.

They're sidestepping the real issue.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Nine Senate Democrats—and Independent Angus King of Maine who caucuses with them—joined all but one Senate Republican on Friday to sidestep a government shutdown. —Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025

By the time the debt matures, the counterparty would settle in bitcoin—sidestepping the usual route of placing giant buy orders on public markets. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025

Noun

In addition to the aforementioned interior layout, the build comes standard with exterior upgrades like an Owl Vans rear spare tire carrier/ladder, Owl side steps, KC HiLites off-road lighting, and an exterior awning. —New Atlas, 12 Mar. 2025

Will TikTok refugees leave once their enthusiasm fades, or will regulators from either side step in? —Jianqing Chen, The Conversation, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sidestep

• multistep
• overstep
• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• lockstep
• misstep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep

Kids Definition

sidestep

verb

side·​step -ˌstep 

1

: to take a step to the side

2

: to avoid by a step to the side

sidestep a blow

3

: to avoid answering or dealing with

sidestep a question