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
Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Prepare for tariffs on steel and aluminum President Donald Trump laid out the next steps for his administration in an exclusive interview with Fox News before the Super Bowl.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
The Hawks open the season with an indoor meet at Orono High School before stepping outside for its first meet on Wednesday, April 17 with a home meet.
—Todd Abeln, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for step 
Noun
Monday's successful flight took the company a big step closer to making that happen.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025
Prepare for tariffs on steel and aluminum President Donald Trump laid out the next steps for his administration in an exclusive interview with Fox News before the Super Bowl.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025
Verb
After stepping away from full-time racing in 2020, Johnson now returns with a co-ownership role at Legacy Motor Club.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
The Hawks open the season with an indoor meet at Orono High School before stepping outside for its first meet on Wednesday, April 17 with a home meet.
—Todd Abeln, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
Beloved singer David Johansen has gone public with a stage four cancer diagnosis, a brain tumor and a recent fall the day after Thanksgiving that left him with a broken back in two places.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
10 Feb. 2025
-
With each show, the energy only intensified, keeping the momentum strong and setting the stage for fashion’s burgeoning and seasoned talent.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In high school, Rae originally wanted to follow in her father’s medical footsteps but fell in love with theater instead.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes,
9 Feb. 2025
-
One of the area’s buzziest new developments is Pala Zion, a rugged, 35-acre stretch of desert near Utah’s famed Kolob Canyon at the footsteps of Zion National Park.—
Emma Reynolds,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Being direct and giving context may be the best path for interactions with rideshare drivers, servers and the like.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Chase Briscoe has forged an impressive path in NASCAR.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Male anglerfish are small − only about one inch − and are not predatory.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
In the garden or in a container, this tidy, carefree evergreen forms a mound about 12 inches high and 18 inches wide.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Though the Post was amenable to publishing the inside ad, Common Cause told the paper to forget it and walked away.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Jackson shared a video of himself dancing on a tribute to late Washington player Sean Taylor, who died in 2007.—
Ilana Frost,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The clip begins with an average Friday night for Millington before her son was born, and she can be seen dancing to loud music in a sparkly dress.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
These deals won't be around forever, so hurry up and add these to your cart!—
Gabriela Vatu,
PCMAG,
7 Feb. 2025
-
As the fire roared down a hillside toward their Altadena home, Vanessa Prata and her parents hurried to pack their car.—
Gene Johnson,
The Christian Science Monitor,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Rome allowed local religious authorities some measure of influence and control, and in this city, that was the group of religious elites called the Sanhedrin who oversaw local religious life.—
Lynne Silva-Breen,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
-
While commercial poultry farms have a number of policies in place now to recognize and intervene if animals get sick, live bird markets are less regulated and have fewer protection measures in place.—
Alice Park,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to step
Thesaurus Entries Near step
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share