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
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Recent Examples of step-down
Men tend to age slowly with little step-downs, and women tend to have very sudden changes.
—
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 27 Jan. 2026
So when people are already experiencing this type of knee pain, doing quad-dominant exercises—like a forward lunge, step-down, or squat—can place even more stress on the knee and exacerbate symptoms.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 24 Dec. 2025
Some lenders use a step-down structure, such as 2% in the first year and 1% in the second.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Kerri Wilson is a registered nurse working on a medical cardiology step-down unit at Mission.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 27 Jan. 2026
So when people are already experiencing this type of knee pain, doing quad-dominant exercises—like a forward lunge, step-down, or squat—can place even more stress on the knee and exacerbate symptoms.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 24 Dec. 2025
Some lenders use a step-down structure, such as 2% in the first year and 1% in the second.
—Mike Winters, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Kerri Wilson is a registered nurse working on a medical cardiology step-down unit at Mission.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-down
Noun
-
This is a crisis that cannot be ignored, especially with school-age children now in summer vacation, which means even further reductions in access to healthy foods.—
Michael Farver,
Sun Sentinel,
14 June 2026
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Believed by some to help with healing, recovery and reduction of inflammation, advocates go so far as to suggest peptides can increase longevity.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
In reaction to pay decreases and general concerns around the cost of living, SEIU Local 1000 has sought legislative and contract relief in the form of a 20% wage increase from 2026 to 2028.—
Evelyn Ronan,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
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The dish detergent decreases while combining water and rubbing alcohol, leaving a streak-free shine.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Noun
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The whole episode is a reminder to product designers everywhere that users can be extremely sensitive to the seemingly smallest changes — and Spotify clearly had not anticipated that a teeny-tiny disco ball drop would prove to be unpopular.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
12 June 2026
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Not discouraged by the previous drop, Young then went back to Legette, who made a difficult catch while falling to the ground.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Tending to Barbara in her days of decline is her child, a trans man, who Barbara refers to as her daughter throughout.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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The decline suggests a blow to small businesses that can’t afford the fee, but previously benefited from the visa program.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
The Chiefs offense failed to make a dent in the Texans’ defense in the first half, as Houston went to the locker room up 10-0.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
8 Dec. 2025
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Anyway, dents are coming for the Patriots next year when their road will get much rockier, and all of this schedule conversation will inevitably subside.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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