STEPS Synonyms: 191 Similar and Opposite Words

steps 1 of 2

noun

plural of step

as in path

the direction along which something or someone moves their steps led them through a long corridor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

steps

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of step

as in walks

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in dances

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 speeds

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 steps

Noun

That could be especially useful for tasks that take several steps or require waiting on someone else. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026 Those steps are especially important just after sunrise and around sunset, when mosquitoes tend to be most active, researchers say. — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 There are no straightforward steps like in the days when a diligent worker could land a job at a good company, work hard to get promoted and hope to climb the corporate ladder. — Julia Carpenter, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026 Burlington has also taken steps to reduce its weather sensitivity, including strengthening its home products assortments. — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 These steps are consistent with any institution of excellence that is constantly striving for improvement. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Still, the government has taken steps to cut back on non-essential spending. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026 Most of those steps have been blocked by various courts, in part because the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to set election rules, but provides no such power to the president. — Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026 The fact that its AI agents have once again managed to break out of a sandbox suggests that the steps OpenAI has taken to improve security after the Hugging Face attack are insufficient. — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Peter Laviolette Era begins for the Kings on Wednesday when the coach steps behind the bench for the first time before their season opener against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 When Kaczynski reluctantly steps outside, the agents waiting nearby move in and arrest him. — Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026 Is the convenience worth the cost of constant surveillance and suspicion of every person who steps on your stoop (not to mention a subscription to the software that runs the camera)? — Longreads, 15 Sep. 2026 When Hao-Yu Lee steps to the plate, the unmistakable sound of Soulja Boy reverberates over the Comerica Park speakers. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 Food and drink Quite literally steps away from the water, Casa Grande, Amanvari’s central gathering space, is your go-to for drinking and dining. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 In her video, the man steps between the agents and one of the women. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Celender is a founding donor of the newly redone Huizenga Park, steps away from the 9/11 memorial on the Riverwalk. — Bri Buckley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Here, the five-course tasting menu is based around what’s fresh on the farm, just steps away. — Mark Johansen, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps

Noun

The path of regulation In 2022, the Congressional Budget Office distilled decades of health care policy fights into a single PowerPoint slide.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
Moderate flooding of sea water is possibly over some vulnerable low-lying coastal areas, especially around the morning and evening high tides, including over beach parking lots, bike paths, and harbor walkways.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of path

Verb

There are games, tests and temptations designed to test the competitors physically, mentally, and morally before one walks away with the prize.

— Peter White, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026
In this large-scale canvas (5 feet 3 inches by 6 feet 7 inches), the artist’s young son Jean appears on the left, and his first wife Camille walks in the background with a friend or neighbor.

— Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of walks

Verb

First, the sequence pays homage to the nightclub scene in Gilda (1946), in which Rita Hayworth dances in a long shot amid ogling male patrons, tracked by a concentrated spotlight.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Noa dances viciously, slamming her body raw in front of the stage.

— Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of dances

Verb

Industry partnership speeds development Castelion is developing Blackbeard through a partnership led by the Future Capability Development and Integration Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell within the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Directed by Mert Alas, the cinematic visual opens on a desert road flanked by mountains, a car speeds through, which is later revealed to be driven by Miley.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of speeds

Noun

The South Asian country meets nearly 85% of its fuel needs via imports, with the Strait of Hormuz being a key supply route before the war.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
The route is expected to come into service next summer, albeit using slower trains that won’t cover the planned 316 miles.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of route

Verb

Trump treads carefully The leaders last met in Beijing just four months ago, and could meet twice more later this year.

— Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026
Through rapid-fire verbal repartee, constant close-ups, and frantic cuts, Deramas treads a careful line between tragedy and comedy, the latter a psychological weapon against the former.

— Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of treads

Verb

If someone hurries you, slow the exchange and name what feels good in your body, like sitting down before deciding on plans.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Nix almost always hurries his throws when a blitz comes Harvey’s way, regardless of whether the rookie RB picks it up capably or not.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025

Definition of hurries

Noun

Instead of the people of one city having to pay higher housing costs, a diesel export ban would affect everybody in the country--in a negative way.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
In this room alone, Sherald explains, are many people who have built institutions, supported artists, and changed the way the world saw art.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of way

Cite this Entry

Style

“Steps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of steps

noun

verb

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