1
as in walks
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
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
3
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
Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
By following these steps, organizations can ensure that archiving achieves the traditional, tactical objectives while also supporting broader business goals.
—Sean Nathaniel, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Next steps include optimizing each system at the unit and plant level, followed by techno-economic analysis.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Costco says people should take those steps to avoid broken glass from spreading inside the trash can.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Solving a problem as complex and widespread as asthma may require taking creative steps.
—Ana Santos Rutschman, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Topics include rehabilitating the Democratic brand, next steps for the party and how to organize and mobilize effectively, among other topics.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Where to stay Renovated in 2021, the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou occupies the 20th–38th floors of a tower only steps from the Pearl River.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
In a statement sent out to several media outlets, Pinstripes explained its next steps.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Aggrieved and pained, Mary returns from the grave to exact revenge on anyone who steps inside her family home.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Valerie Franco eventually steps behind the drum kit, bringing a vitality and effervescence to a movie that sorely lacks it.
—Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Portraying the ghost of Hamlet’s father at the play’s debut, his face and body covered in chalky white paint, his Shakespeare steps through the looking glass and becomes his own tragic player, strutting and fretting his hour upon the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Harry is more succinct when Dex steps off the elevator.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The Rooms The resort has 42 villas and 18 suites, the latter located in the main building, steps away from the restaurants and pool.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Across the board, Phoenix steps on the throttle when games are hanging in the balance.
—Shane Young, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Chasing Riley are Mallory Swanson (10), Sophia Smith (9) and Alyssa Thompson (8), a new generation of stars just steps behind.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
Both Delta and Aeromexico said in separate statements that the carriers were disappointed by the department's decision and were reviewing the order before considering next steps.
—Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
By following these steps, organizations can ensure that archiving achieves the traditional, tactical objectives while also supporting broader business goals.
—Sean Nathaniel, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Next steps include optimizing each system at the unit and plant level, followed by techno-economic analysis.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2025
Costco says people should take those steps to avoid broken glass from spreading inside the trash can.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Solving a problem as complex and widespread as asthma may require taking creative steps.
—Ana Santos Rutschman, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Topics include rehabilitating the Democratic brand, next steps for the party and how to organize and mobilize effectively, among other topics.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
Where to stay Renovated in 2021, the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou occupies the 20th–38th floors of a tower only steps from the Pearl River.
—Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
In a statement sent out to several media outlets, Pinstripes explained its next steps.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Repeat steps 1-3 if more descaling is needed.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Aggrieved and pained, Mary returns from the grave to exact revenge on anyone who steps inside her family home.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
Valerie Franco eventually steps behind the drum kit, bringing a vitality and effervescence to a movie that sorely lacks it.
—Mark Kennedy, Boston Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Portraying the ghost of Hamlet’s father at the play’s debut, his face and body covered in chalky white paint, his Shakespeare steps through the looking glass and becomes his own tragic player, strutting and fretting his hour upon the stage.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Harry is more succinct when Dex steps off the elevator.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
The Rooms The resort has 42 villas and 18 suites, the latter located in the main building, steps away from the restaurants and pool.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Across the board, Phoenix steps on the throttle when games are hanging in the balance.
—Shane Young, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Chasing Riley are Mallory Swanson (10), Sophia Smith (9) and Alyssa Thompson (8), a new generation of stars just steps behind.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps
Noun
-
Since that meeting, during which allies expressed optimism of a path forward on security guarantees, no progress has materialized.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The advance gives sodium batteries a clearer path to compete with lithium.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton walks near the track before the first practice session ahead of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit, in Monza, northern Italy, on September 5, 2025.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In the heartwarming video, Derek walks over to his wife and the two embrace while overlooking a scenic view.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The flame also dances back and forth for an even more convincing look.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In the final seconds of the Sex and the City revival series, Carrie dances down the hallway of her Gramercy Park townhome in a flirty outfit while Barry White plays, embracing her singledom.—
Carson Blackwelder,
People.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Anduril highlights that the architecture also speeds software updates.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Insoluble fiber speeds up digestion and keeps your gut running smoothly.—
Courtney Southwick,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to optimizing queries, Espresso routes queries between different compute clusters to maximize efficiency.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The location of the firearm appears to match the suspect's route of travel, the sources said.—
Jon Haworth,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Hayes isn’t the only one who has made it, yet still treads carefully with their money.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Trying for nonchalance, Emil treads water.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Financial reports, client data, or confidential business information can be uploaded in ways that sidestep official security and AI policies, often neutralizing safeguards intended to keep information safe.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Selena Gomez’s Emmys 2025 manicure was barely there, in the best way.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The older dog is shown marching along, while the puppy scurries along, attempting to match its pace.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
In some versions of the tale, the wolf scurries off to the forest while the three pigs live happily ever after in humble homesteads of their choice.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Steps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share