step aside

verb

stepped aside; stepping aside; steps aside

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from one's position or occupation : step down

Synonyms of step aside

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Examples of step aside in a Sentence

a newscaster who knew when it was time to step aside from the anchor desk and let a younger person take over the prime minister was compelled to step aside from his office when it was demonstrated that he had violated the public trust
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But her mother, Belén, has already taken control and refuses to step aside. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Olszewski is among the members who support Gomez stepping aside in the new Congress pending the ethics investigation. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026 Then came veteran Rob Jones, who stepped aside last week with a calf injury. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 Whether taking leave stripped him of that protection — and whether his latest request to step aside indefinitely would do so again — remains disputed among Mexican legal scholars. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for step aside

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of step aside was in 1949

Rhymes for step aside

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Browse Nearby Words

step-and-repeat
step aside
step back
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Cite this Entry

“Step aside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20aside. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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