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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Example Sentences
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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.
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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
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In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.
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Voltage reductions were also happening earlier in the day in parts of Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane told CNN.
Noun
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Despite the criticism Williams has received for her hiring practices, Beasley-Pittman noted a decrease in the city’s personnel budget growth.
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Yet, if investments in digital defense hit record highs every year, why doesn't corporate vulnerability decrease?
Noun
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The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.
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Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.
Noun
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Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.
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This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.
Noun
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However, Norman Powell appears likely to leave in free agency, and paired with the loss of Herro, that puts a serious dent in the team’s non-Antetokounmpo/Bam Adebayo arsenal.
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The Padres will get four more games in Los Angeles next week to put a dent in those numbers.
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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