step 1 of 2

noun

ˈstep How to pronounce step (audio)
Definition of stepnext
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

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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

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3
as in footstep
the mark or impression made by a foot steps in the sand leading into the water and back out again

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4
as in path
steps plural the direction along which something or someone moves their steps led them through a long corridor

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

step

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to walk
to go on foot I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner

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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

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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

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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
Noun
One of the most impactful steps leaders can take is establishing clear boundaries around work expectations. — Raul Handa, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 For those in immigration detention or formal removal proceedings, the process requires additional steps. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
With the liquor license approved and the nightclub endorsement needed, mayoral Chief of Staff George Bridges Jr. said after the meeting that steps to reopening remain. — Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025 On April 8, 2024, millions of Americans paused their days to step outside to witness an incredibly rare sight. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
  1. stage
  2. footstep
  3. path
  4. inch
  5. walk
  6. dance
  7. hurry
  8. measure
Noun
  • But momentous events from beyond the stage hovered, too: In February, well after all 5,000 tickets had been sold for our two-night stand, Donald Trump dismissed multiple members of the Kennedy Center board and installed himself as the institution’s chairman.
    — Ryan Miller, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Dimon said rising interest rates, sticky inflation, and widening credit spreads are setting the stage for a wave of financial strain among U.S. companies.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of stage
Noun
  • Lowden would follow in the footsteps of Matthew Macfadyen, Colin Firth, David Rintoul, Peter Cushing and Laurence Olivier, who have all portrayed the iconic literary character Mr. Darcy.
    — Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Since many automakers will follow in the footsteps of Audi and Volkswagen, new car imports will be delayed, making used cars much more readily available.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of footstep
Noun
  • My mind would spin through the various dramas of the week, and then zoom out to broader existential musings about my life path.
    — Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The most likely path continues to be early in next month’s draft.
    — Dan Pompei, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of path
Noun
  • The most snow Chicago has ever received in one season was 89.7 inches during 1978-79.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Long Beach Wilson’s Loren Webster won the Invitational girls long jump with a leap of 19 feet, 10 inches and Camren Smith of Quartz Hill won the Invitational boys triple jump at 49-06.00.
    — Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of inch
Verb
  • In Kentucky, a 9-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters while walking to his school bus stop in Franklin County on Friday, police said.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Homeowners can simply walk away from the burden, cash in hand, for a fair and reasonable price without any hidden fees or expenses.
    — KC Property Group, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of walk
Verb
  • Of course, some people enjoy going out to clubs and dancing until dawn, but that just isn't what Cooper, who is part of Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012) wants her weekends to be about.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Staff and friends would often stay until the sun came up, laughing, dancing and playing cards.
    — Brad Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of dance
Verb
  • The deals are on now and are good until April 14, so hurry and upgrade your Microsoft Office system today.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article Mayor Adams on Monday urged the judge presiding over his public corruption case to hurry up and decide on outstanding dismissal motions before upcoming deadlines in the mayoral race.
    — Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of hurry
Noun
  • The study aimed to analyze a thousand births to Black women in Detroit to better understand why some babies are born pre-term, based on an epigenetic measure of age.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The survey also took the measure of another key Trump foreign policy: tariffs on U.S. trading partners.
    — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of measure

Phrases Containing step

Browse Nearby Words

stentorian
step
step (along)
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Cite this Entry

“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on step

Nglish: Translation of step for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about step

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