Definition of stepnext
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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in footstep
the mark or impression made by a foot steps in the sand leading into the water and back out again

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
as in path
steps plural the direction along which something or someone moves their steps led them through a long corridor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

step

2 of 2

verb

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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 step
Noun
From giant pumpkins to elaborate tableaux, the displays have taken on a life of their own, as locals and visitors crawl the city for the spookiest steps. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 Many prospective citizens are now unable to participate in the midterm elections, as the lack of an approval even after completing all the steps to be naturalized has put their lives in limbo. — Alec Dent, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Verb
Even though several planetary retrogrades invite us to re-examine the past, this lunation acts as a powerful catalyst to course-correct, adjust perspective, and step onto more solid ground. — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 And in his place stepped a true freshman in his first start at USC, forced to find his way in a White Out, surrounded by a hostile crowd of 114,000 strong. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for step
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step
Noun
  • Analysts attributed elevated gas prices to ongoing fighting in the Middle East, which has damaged oil infrastructure and forced firms to take up costly means of transporting crude.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Only Washington, North Carolina and Oregon tracked rejection rates with enough detail to distinguish ballots received in the mail from those received by some other means, like a ballot drop box.
    — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The number of ballots cast two weeks from Election Day has reached nearly 1 million, up from roughly 550,000 at the same stage in 2022.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • That is late-stage private equity written on venture letterhead.
    — Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Maria was also, evidently, happy to advise those who wanted to follow in her footsteps.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Following in his brother’s footsteps, Wayne led Smyrna High to a state 3A title game and earned his third consecutive All-State selection in his senior season.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Plans also incorporate a 10-foot-wide paved side path along the school side of the corridor, providing a separated walking and biking trail.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Baltzor, and hired riders, had to hoof it through heavy smoke into the mountains to extract their cattle from the path of the fires.
    — Anna King, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches with up to 10 inches along the highest mountain peaks.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Disneyland has unveiled the dates in which guests can attempt to snag one if its handmade, oversize 18-inch candy canes.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In September, two girls from Skyview High protested by walking off the start line after the gun went off, and last week, about a dozen of his own teammates did the same thing.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The spirit company’s Instagram page shared a video of the moment people realized who their special guest was and began freaking out when Jenner walked in unannounced.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Nobody Wants This is back for a third season of dancing around the real issues of contemporary Judaism in America so that maybe Kristen Bell’s convert character Joanne can learn about hamantaschen rather than have one political conversation.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Laureate Park Lights aims to dazzle the Lake Nona community with lights that dance to music.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On a tight end screen with 8 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the third quarter of the Falcons’ 31-23 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Daniels hurried downhill and tackled Bears standout Colston Loveland.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Jeff Boschee had no desire to head out of town, to hurry back to Pittsburg, Kansas, after his Pittsburg State Gorillas’ 80-62 Late Night in the Phog exhibition loss to Kansas on Friday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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