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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On his podcast, Crosby, one of the NFL's elite edge rushers, discussed the whirlwind of emotions of thinking he was headed to a new organization and then leaving still as a member of the Raiders.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026 -
Cuba plunged into an unprecedented blackout after its entire electrical grid suddenly suffered a total collapse on Monday, briefly leaving roughly 10 million residents in total darkness.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Big Tent Coalition was a political action committee founded by Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena, who was state representative in the 37th House District before abruptly resigning in April 2024.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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But why not try to maximize a draft pick by gracefully dropping down to the 10-seed and resigning yourself to a one-and-done?—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
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With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Democratic leaders have accused Congress of abdicating its constitutional role, and some members plan to boycott the address or attend in silent protest.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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While the study focused on diabetes patients, Al-Aly said people who take GLP-1s to reduce obesity also should be aware of potential harms from quitting.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
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Across America, only six in 10 caregivers remain employed, and half report work disruptions — arriving late, leaving early or quitting entirely.—
Neal K. Shah,
Boston Herald,
17 Mar. 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 20 Mar. 2026.
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