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
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This soot reduction could also make engines stealthier by reducing their infrared signature.—
David Szondy
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
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As of May 15, the stock was trading down nearly 35% from the time of its workforce reduction.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
Noun
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Consumption has been linked to decreases in all-cause mortality.—
Christina Manian,
Health,
14 May 2026
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But drug harm reduction advocates and researchers say shifts in the drug supply and changes in drug use are the major contributors to the decrease in deaths.—
Ana Goñi-Lessan,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Daniella Segura Click the link below for the USA TODAY Network's California June primary voter guide — registration deadline, ballot drop boxes, early voting, and how to track your ballot through Election Day.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Stubbornly high home-loan rates, a decline in the construction of new units, and economic angst are all keeping people and property developers from doing more deals, said Richard Green, director of the Lusk Center for Real Estate at USC.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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With the decline of legacy media, campaigns are increasingly turning to social media personalities like Washington to get their message out and humanize them to voters.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Noun
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Hail damage can be subtle — granule loss and small dents that shorten a roof’s life without obvious leaks.—
Ryan Brennan
May 15,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
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Still, a suspension isn’t likely to make a sizable (or instant) dent at the pump.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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