How to Use step back in a Sentence

step back

verb
  • Cruz and Cantwell would be wise to step back.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
  • But, part of his growth as a coach was to take a step back.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The choice to step back still exists.
    Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
  • So think about; take a step back for a second.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
  • Within hours both stepped back.
    Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
  • This will be three steps forward, two steps back.
    Rhon Daguro, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
  • But so are steps back from Springer and Varsho.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 2 June 2026
  • For the team to hit its peak, James would have to step back.
    Dan Woike, New York Times, 12 May 2026
  • Write it down, step back from noise, and let the truth settle.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
  • The logic is that once clubs are well run, the state can step back.
    Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 16 June 2026
  • Take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
    Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The decision to again step back from the abyss is wise.
    Alexander Langlois, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
  • When everything is dry, step back and take it in.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 15 Apr. 2026
  • But stepping back isn’t the same as stepping away.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 May 2026
  • Take a step back, process it, and then respond clearly.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2026
  • Two steps forward, one step back for New Glenn.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Two steps forward, one step back for New Glenn.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The couple would step back—fully.
    Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
  • One step forward and two steps back in Houston.
    Levi Weaver, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • Verhaeghe has taken a step back over the last two seasons.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 20 May 2026
  • At this point, the responsible move is to call it a win and step back.
    Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
  • There’s plenty of room to step back and get some perspective.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • Every step forward was followed by a step back.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 22 May 2026
  • One of the women pushes a wide gurney against one wall and steps back, the video shows.
    Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 15 June 2026
  • Keeping the movement slow and controlled, step back down.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 18 June 2026
  • Slow down, take a step back and pay attention to what your body and mind are trying to tell you.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026
  • Her decision to step back to take care of her health was powerful.
    Chanel Iman, Time, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The Cowboys special teams unit took a step back last season.
    Jon MacHota, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Muni Long is ready to step back into the spotlight.
    Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • Take a step back from self-judgment while the moon faces off with Chiron.
    Usa Today, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'step back.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: