1
as in leaving
to give up (a job or office)
a newscaster who knew when it was time to step aside from the anchor desk and let a younger person take over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in resigning
to give up (as a position of authority) formally
the prime minister was compelled to step aside from his office when it was demonstrated that he had violated the public trust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping aside (from)
Verb
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The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens under the cover of darkness, essentially leaving the entirety of the franchise in the city.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026 -
Indian markets are under pressure across assets, with stocks, the rupee and bonds all weakening, leaving investors banking on the budget to reset sentiment.—
Ashutosh Joshi,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Perhaps more poignantly, various DOJ and FBI officials have refused to pursue the administration’s agenda to go after journalists, with a number resigning their positions, Deadline can confirm.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
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The other will search for the next executive director to replace Greg Scholl, who is resigning in June.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
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Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The United States, in other words, is not just abdicating its role in the current international system.—
ELIZABETH ECONOMY,
Foreign Affairs,
9 Dec. 2025
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After all, Perfidia explodes other archetypes, too—for instance, abdicating her roles as a mother and romantic partner to continue her work.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
26 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After quitting football, Zator threw himself entirely into wrestling for his senior year.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Some lifestyle changes support your heart health and help keep your heart working properly, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising, and quitting tobacco.—
Vanessa Caceres,
Verywell Health,
27 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Stepping aside (from).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20aside%20%28from%29. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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