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.
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Recent Examples of step
Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Downtown Los Angeles’ infamous eyesore is one step closer to being cleaned out.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Who the hell was stepping all over my moment?
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
In addition, some states have taken steps to ban artificial dyes from school meals.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Downtown Los Angeles’ infamous eyesore is one step closer to being cleaned out.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Colmenarez said during his detention on April 16, 2013, he was forced to kneel down and place his head between his legs while the officers hit his back and neck, kicking and stepping on him with their military boots.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Who the hell was stepping all over my moment?
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
-
Catherine takes the concept in a different direction, intent on hurting Heathcliff through more emotional means.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But because many people struggle to get enough vitamin D through natural means, a supplement may be appropriate for those concerned about bone health, Drake said.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Early on in cosmic history, the Universe was composed primarily of hydrogen and helium, as no substantial quantities of heavier elements were formed during the early stages of the hot Big Bang.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Neither more nor less, really, at this stage.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Twenty-six other states have followed in California’s footsteps with legislation — some signed into law, others still in progress — that would either ban, restrict or require labels for artificial colorants.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Mattel follows in the footsteps of past Queerties hosts including Jinkx Monsoon, Bob the Drag Queen and Bianca Del Rio.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That gives Takaichi a clear path to deliver on her agenda over the coming years – until the next election in 2027.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
His only real path to election is as the Sandy Koufax of the 21st century.—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fundraiser tickets for the club will be sold, with a Hummingbird 15-inch Solix as the prize.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The ball of the shoe to the heel has a tapered height, with the heel reaching three inches for a little extra thickness.—
Olivia Dubyak,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere along the beach, Grey walked along the shoreline as waves broke at her feet.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That night, Annette Smith texted them to say Chad Smith and Sam Arlia were walking near Coit and Frankford Road when two cars were involved in an accident.—
Erin Jones,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There were dancing gladiators and moka pots, a phalanx of runway models dressed (in Armani) in green, white and red, to represent the Italian flag.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Giant paint tubes are seen as performers dance during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If the Pats can hit or hurry Darnold, that may be enough to yield an outcome as good as, if not better than, a sack.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
-
John Helmick hurried to book a flight to San Antonio from his home in Las Vegas after learning his former cross-country coach at Texas had entered the end-of-life stage of hospice care.—
Tom Orsborn,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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