as in reduction
the amount by which something is lessened
took a huge step-down in income when she switched from a law career to one in social work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-down
While those areas are now seeing a step-down in prices, prices in the Middle Atlantic states, which includes Pennsylvania as well as New Jersey and New York, rose 3.4% last month — a full percentage point higher than the national rate, government data shows.
—
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024
The Oasis has 1GB of RAM compared with the 500MB of the step-down models, which makes this device a tad zippier (CNET).
—David Pierce, WIRED, 5 May 2016
The home has a step-down family room with rustic wood beams and paneling, brick wall, and woodstove; an eat-in kitchen; and a separate dining room.
—The Week Staff, theweek, 3 Sep. 2024
The manslaughter conviction is a step-down from the second-degree murder charge originally issued against Benefield after the death of her husband in 2020.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 31 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 Oct. 2024
The Oasis has 1GB of RAM compared with the 500MB of the step-down models, which makes this device a tad zippier (CNET).
—David Pierce, WIRED, 5 May 2016
The home has a step-down family room with rustic wood beams and paneling, brick wall, and woodstove; an eat-in kitchen; and a separate dining room.
—The Week Staff, theweek, 3 Sep. 2024
The manslaughter conviction is a step-down from the second-degree murder charge originally issued against Benefield after the death of her husband in 2020.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 31 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-down
Noun
-
The administration is planning a much broader reduction of its workforce.—
Stephen Fowler,
NPR,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Lift restrictions on shooting outside and in public spaces in L.A. (emulating NYC’s successful program) and offer a temporary reduction in permit fees in conjunction with loosening up notification requirements to reduce FilmLA’s staffing costs.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
1 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to a drop in homicides, Durham saw a 24% decrease in shooting incidents from 2023 to 2024 — though the number of people shot increased 6.8%, according to Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews.—
Zachery Eanes,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
-
According to the Peterson Institute for International Economics, deporting just 1.3 million undocumented immigrants will trigger a 1.2% decrease in GDP and a 1.1% drop in employment by 2028.—
Noreen Sugrue,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But on the third drop, the steel plates of what looked like a submarine flashed into view.—
Sean Kingsley,
Smithsonian Magazine,
18 Feb. 2025
-
That helped offset a 5.5% drop for Conagra Brands, which lowered its forecasts for upcoming profit and other financial measures.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In the United States, there have been recent declines in some parents getting their children vaccinated, driven largely by the spread of misinformation, including the misconception that vaccination may be tied to autism.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
-
In total, German exports added up to 1.56 trillion euros last year, a 1.2% decline compared with 2023.—
ASSOCIATED PRESS,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Now, tariff threats look to be putting a dent in the economic outlook of consumers and businesses.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Seven cans of tomatoes had large dents, some in the mid-seam of the cans. Utensils and other kitchenware were stored in a cabinet with the facility’s breaker box.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share