STEPS Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

steps 1 of 2

noun

plural of step

as in path

the direction along which something or someone moves their steps led them through a long corridor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

steps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of step

as in walks

to go on foot I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in dances

to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in speeds

to proceed or move quickly many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of steps

Noun

The beach, sprawling across the sheltered Bay of Naoussa, is just steps from the shoreside restaurant, and children can be kept an eye on from a poolside sun-bed perch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026 But with France about to enter its peak August tourist season, Gironde authorities took more steps to keep vacationers away, banning holiday camps for children and for people with disabilities. — ABC News, 27 July 2026 Similarly, Lindsey Bomgren, a personal trainer based in Minneapolis, gets in her steps each morning while using her phone’s talk-to-text app to draft emails and write herself notes. — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 27 July 2026 SpaceX successfully launched its Starship vehicle on Friday and appeared to demonstrate important and credible steps toward fulfilling the massive rocket’s immense promise. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 27 July 2026 One of the most important steps is coordination across campus. — Chyann Sapp, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Fans wailed outside St James’ and Keegan stood on the steps to placate them, but then Les Ferdinand arrived and another Hollywood-upon-Tyne took shape. — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Verb

No one steps onto a tennis court without a racket that has been strung. — Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 So now Warner steps forcefully toward his comeback game in September against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia — with purpose. — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 21 July 2026 Fans in Atlanta got to experience what the South has to offer in real time, from a Waffle House pop up to an Irish pub just steps away from the stadium. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 20 July 2026 When the opportunity arose to start a new project just steps away from Oceans, Rosse jumped at the prospect. — Ruth Abramovitz, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026 Later that pitch-black night, Erez steps to the edge of her terrace, looks down at the sleepy city below, and lets out a blood-curdling scream. — Marisa Fox, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026 For a romantic dinner, look no further than Harbor Fish Market & Grille, with great views of Lake Michigan just steps away. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026 The new 6th Street Bridge, hailed as a civic landmark just steps away, was promptly stripped of its wiring by vandals and now sits pitch black at night. — Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 The neighborhood/area A lack of on-site dining is no matter, as there are a number of intriguing restaurants just steps away along the Marina Puerto Vallarta. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps

Noun

New Zealand’s biosecurity minister has warned that the country will follow a similar path, should a widespread outbreak occur.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
The incident also demonstrated that models can potentially identify and exploit novel attack paths without direct access to an organization’s source code.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026

Definition of path

Verb

Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernandez worked walks to open the frame before Marsee chased Senga with a two-run double to right.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Aug. 2026
Servey regularly walks his 13-year-old Yorkie Scruffy through Lemon Hill Park, but said those walks have changed since Fan Fest ended.

— Eva Andersen, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Definition of walks

Verb

Alvarez dances with Frankie Grande, Ariana’s brother, during her Brooklyn concert, receiving the family blessing.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 July 2026
This book about a couple in complex crisis creates a sense of political alienation that The Drama frankly dances around.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026

Definition of dances

Verb

Also, take care to keep potatoes away from onions, as onions release ethylene gas, which speeds up the sprouting process.

— Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026
Beyond producing highly uniform nanowires, the technique speeds up materials research.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

Definition of speeds

Noun

On Saturday, members of multiple North Texas Jeep clubs are expected to line part of Gonzales' funeral procession route near Prestonwood Baptist Church.

— Erin Jones, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Despite having roughly 850 law enforcement officers along the parade route and at the rally, shots rang out as people were beginning to leave.

— Laura Bauer July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026

Definition of route

Verb

Consider paintings like Caracalla, where the titular emperor treads a trail of rose petals; or In a Rose Garden, where a woman shakes the petals of a rose bush down on her companion; and the extravaganza of The Roses of Heliogabalus.

— Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 17 July 2026
This stone stays cool even in direct sunlight, with varied blues complementing the historic stonework and bluestone stair treads.

— Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 23 June 2026

Definition of treads

Verb

If someone hurries you, slow the exchange and name what feels good in your body, like sitting down before deciding on plans.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Nix almost always hurries his throws when a blitz comes Harvey’s way, regardless of whether the rookie RB picks it up capably or not.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025

Definition of hurries

Noun

As all of this finale drama is happening around him, Danny gets increasingly drunker, foreshadowing absolutely nothing good coming our way.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 30 July 2026
My favorite way to spend an afternoon, though, was borrowing one of the hotel's bicycles and pedaling around South of Fifth, where quiet residential streets quickly give way to cafés, the marina, and the fun buzz of Ocean Drive.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026