STEP-BY-STEP Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words

step-by-step

adjective

ˌstep-bī-ˈstep

Definition of step-by-step

as in gradual

proceeding or changing by steps or degrees the incessant step-by-step advance of the enemy's troops could no longer be resisted

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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-by-step The seven-minute video, sent in early May 2021, offered a step-by-step guide for carrying out modern warfare in a country where everything seemed to be unraveling. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 But the implant cannot yet combine motions, such as wrist rotation and finger movement, and requires step-by-step motions to achieve some tasks. — Greg Uyeno, IEEE Spectrum, 20 Oct. 2026 Recommended by Our Editors For use in the kitchen, both offer recipe assistance, with step-by-step cooking instructions. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 Apple’s new smart display sits in the center of the chaos on the kitchen table, helping the family check their calendars, send messages, and pull up a French toast recipe in seconds, with simple, step-by-step instructions. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 The latter provides a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make a pair of jeans on industrial and domestic sewing machines. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 In the kitchen, HomeView turns recipes into step-by-step instructions with hands-free timers. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026 In this case, the goal was to distill how the models reason, or generate longer responses in order to solve hard problems step-by-step. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026 During a consultation, talk through their goal, explain step-by-step how to approach it, give them ideas and provide a realistic time horizon. — David Cozzens, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-by-step

gradual

Adjective

The National Weather Service says a gradual cool-down is possible next week, with rain chances increasing later in the week.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
The company cited a gradual recovery in the Middle East, growth in North America land, and broadening international activity in deep-water offshore.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gradual

Browse Nearby Words

stepbrothers

step-by-step

step-down

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Style

“Step-by-step.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-by-step. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of step-by-step

adjective

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