STEPPED Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

stepped 1 of 2

adjective

as in tapered

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Dissimilar Words

stepped

2 of 2

verb

past tense of step

as in walked

to go on foot I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in danced

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

as in sped

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 stepped

Verb

De Goede scored her second bounding over a ruck, prop DaLeaka Menin scored in a lineout drive, and fullback Savannah Bauder stepped two defenders in a 55-meter solo try to make it 31-17. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Betkowski temporarily stepped away from the role in 1978 and returned to California for a couple months to receive psychiatric treatment at the then-UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 24 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 The offense often came into focus late in games once Hopkins stepped on the field as the team’s striker. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 When Sutley stepped outside afterward, the landscape was disorientingly unfamiliar. — Daniel Wolfe, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 The 5-foot-11 UConn product is Golden State’s leading scorer and has stepped it up even further in the playoffs, averaging almost 23 points per game. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The Blackhawks scored before Bedard even stepped on the ice, with Frondell teeing up a Teuvo Teräväinen one-timer in the slot on the opening shift. — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Now, four years after her first Grammy win at 19, Rodrigo has stepped further into her artistry. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped

Adjective

The sandals feature a sharp pointed toe, featuring an elegant tapered silhouette, a slim ankle strap with a silver buckle and a stiletto heel measuring 105 mm, which is around four inches.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
The duo launches alongside a tapered blending brush designed for gentle, precise application on the delicate skin under your eyes.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tapered

Verb

The clear frontrunner was Chris Brown, a 16-year-old multi-threat from Virginia who sang, rapped, and danced like his limbs were made of gas-station inflatables.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
But in this one, Mayfield mainly just handed off and occasionally danced after teammates produced big runs.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of danced

Adjective

Compounding the challenge, the museum hosts millions of visitors annually, requiring all restoration work to proceed in phased stages while keeping the venue operational.

— , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
The company had submitted the exemption request on December 31, 2025, as part of the first phase of its phased Construction Permit Application.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of phased

Verb

In the northern port city of Keelung, boat owners hurried to secure their vessels.

— Reuters, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of hurried

Verb

The Off Campus duo, Emma Watson, Hunter Schafer, Chase Infiniti, and Tyriq Withers, who all scurried off together to continue the already-memorable night elsewhere.

— Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
Daniels also could have scurried to his feet and spiked the ball because there were seven seconds remaining when he was tackled.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of scurried

Browse Nearby Words

steppe

stepped

stepped (along)

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Style

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

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Synonyms of stepped

adjective

verb

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