1
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result
took steps to ensure that there would be no more incidences of food poisoning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in stage
an individual part of a process, series, or ranking
the manual enumerates every step in the procedure for shutting down the assembly line
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3
4
5
as in inch
a very small distance or degree
he lives just a step away from his elderly mother, so he's there if she needs him for any reason
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to walk
to go on foot
I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to dance
to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music
she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor
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3
as in to hurry
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
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Recent Examples of step
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said the team would give Misa some time to decompress before general manager Mike Grier decides the next step.
—Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 8 Nov. 2025
In front of the Idaho State Capitol steps on Saturday morning, the street was lined with people waving American flags as historic military vehicles and military personnel both current and former made their way through downtown.
—Idaho Statesman, 8 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for step
Noun
An upstairs-downstairs work of historical fiction with a premise farcical enough to fuel an Oscar Wilde play seems like a solid first step toward the genre.
—Verb
The pop star has taken several social media breaks in recent years — briefly in 2021 and twice in 2022 — and has periodically stepped away from posting ever since.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
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Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.—
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Manufacturers would also have to provide a means for first responders to access the car from outside when electric power is lost.—
Noun
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Lenovo came out all guns blazing at CES 2026, using its biggest global stage yet to signal major leaps across devices, AI, and partnerships.—
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Johnson understands what this week signifies — with this playoff stage providing the opportunity to stamp greater legitimacy on the season.—
Noun
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At least one of their kids briefly followed in their father's athletic footsteps.—
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The fibers are highly adept at absorbing the shock and sound of footsteps to reduce the noise and impact on the floor underneath.—
Noun
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With less access to scholarships and aid, some students may elect to choose a different path of study, potentially sinking enrollment below the quotas set by the law enacted last year.—
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The park offers several hiking paths that explore caves along the base of the mountain and a trail that leads to the nearby town of Dénia.—
Noun
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Snag it in black, white, green, blue, or maple or walnut wood stains in sizes ranging from 4 by 4 inches to 8 by 10 inches.—
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Wrangler 22-inch Outrider Hardside Carry-on Luggage Amazon’s selection of luggage is ever-growing, and the Wrangler 22-inch Outrider Hardside Carry-on Luggage is a standout addition.—
Verb
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In the 47-second video, the agent can be seen walking around Good’s maroon Honda Pilot, which is in the middle of the street blocking traffic.—
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Bryant went 6 of 7 from the free-throw line over the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to keep the Hurricane at arm's length and walk away with a tough 79-71 victory at Hornet Arena.—
Verb
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Demonstrators waved signs, chanted in English and Spanish, and danced to music from portable speakers.—
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The marble bathroom toilets are all-singing, all-dancing affairs, with jet sprays and heated seats.—
Verb
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Rafiq thanked the shopkeeper and hurried out of the bazaar’s maze-like structure to find his car.—
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Caracas, Venezuela — The morning after US forces bombed Caracas, dragged President Nicolás Maduro out of bed, carted him over the Caribbean and installed him in a Brooklyn jail, many Venezuelans hurried to the grocery store.—
Cite this Entry
“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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