step back
phrasal verb
stepped back; stepping back; steps back
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time so in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
You need to step back and give yourself some time to work through this.
Examples of step back in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Noah Hanifin, 28, seemed to take a step back in his first full season in Vegas.
—
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 15 May 2025
After Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family and relocated to California in 2020, they were last seen together with Prince William and Princess Kate at the 2022 funeral events of Queen Elizabeth.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 14 May 2025
In San Bernardino County, the Chino Valley Unified school board president also raises cost as an issue but sees the mandate pause as an opportunity to step back from ethnic studies.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
There is a tremendous difference between getting the two countries to step back from the brink of war and facilitating a permanent solution to an 80-year dispute.
—Lisa Curtis, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for step back
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.
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 15 May 2025
After Prince Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family and relocated to California in 2020, they were last seen together with Prince William and Princess Kate at the 2022 funeral events of Queen Elizabeth.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 14 May 2025
In San Bernardino County, the Chino Valley Unified school board president also raises cost as an issue but sees the mandate pause as an opportunity to step back from ethnic studies.
—Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
There is a tremendous difference between getting the two countries to step back from the brink of war and facilitating a permanent solution to an 80-year dispute.
—Lisa Curtis, Foreign Affairs, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for step back
Cite this Entry
“Step back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20back. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share