Step-down — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈstep-ˌdau̇n/

Meaning & Definition of Step-down

Step-down (noun)

  1. a decrease or reduction (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental

Step-down (adjective)

  1. serving to decrease voltage
  2. providing or offering a reduced level of care or service; specifically, providing an intermediate level of care and monitoring especially for patients transitioning out of intensive care

Step-down (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the amount by which something is lessened

    "took a huge step-down in income when she switched from a law career to one in social work"

    similar: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage
    related: deduction, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening
    opposite: boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick
    near: accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

Related Entry: Step down (from) (verb)

Step down (from) is a different word from Step-down. The synonyms below are for step down (from), not for step-down.

  1. to give up (a job or office)

    "with the advent of his 90th birthday, he could no longer resist calls for him to step down from chairmanship of the board"

    similar: bag, chuck, leave, quit, resign (from), retire (from), step aside (from), give notice
    related: abandon, vacate, drop out (of), throw up
    opposite: keep, stay (at)
    near: hire (out), join, sign on (for)

  2. to give up (as a position of authority) formally

    "even in the face of a palace revolt, Queen Elizabeth I refused to step down from the throne"

    similar: abdicate, abnegate, cede, relinquish, renounce, resign, step aside (from), surrender
    related: abjure, demit, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, waive, forsake, give up, hand over, yield, abandon, desert, quit, vacate
    near: appropriate, arrogate, assume, claim, confiscate, seize, take over, usurp, wrest, defend, guard, protect, safeguard, secure

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Step-down

The most common words with a similar meaning to Step-down:

abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Step-down

Words with the opposite meaning of Step-down:

boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick

Related Words for Step-down

deduction, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening

Near Antonyms of Step-down

accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

Word Forms of Step-down

Inflections: step-downs, step downs, stepdowns

Origin & Etymology of Step-down

First known use: 1905

Frequently Asked Questions about Step-down

What does "Step-down" mean?

"Step-down" means a decrease or reduction (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: a decrease or reduction (as in size or amount) and especially one that is gradual or incremental.

What is another word for "Step-down"?

Other words for "Step-down" include abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression and diminishment. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Step-down" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Step-down"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Step-down". Common alternatives include abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution and drop.

What is the opposite of "Step-down"?

Antonyms of "Step-down" include boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise and step-up. Near antonyms include accretion, accrual, accumulation and addition.

How do you use "Step-down" in a sentence?

Examples of "Step-down" in a sentence: "took a huge step-down in income when she switched from a law career to one in social work".

Is "Step-down" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Step-down" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Step-down"?

"Step-down" is pronounced /ˈstep-ˌdau̇n/.

What is the origin of the word "Step-down"?

First known use: 1905.