Stepped — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective phrase /ˈstep/ (noun) /ˈstept-ˈəp/ (adjective) /ˈgüs-ˌstep/ (verb) /ˈwən-ˌstep/ (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Stepped

Stepped (noun)

  1. a rest for the foot in ascending or descending
  2. one of a series of structures consisting of a riser and a tread
  3. a ladder rung
  4. a very small step or advance in progress
  5. a ballroom dance in 2/4 time marked by quick walking steps backward and forward
  6. music used for the one-step

Stepped (verb)

  1. to move by raising the foot and bringing it down elsewhere or by moving each foot in succession
  2. dance
  3. to go on foot, walk
  4. to march in a goose step
  5. to practice an unthinking conformity
  6. to withdraw from one's position or occupation, step down
  7. to withdraw from one's position or occupation, retire, resign
  8. to lower (a voltage) by means of a transformer
  9. to decrease or reduce (something) especially by one or more steps
  10. to intervene in an affair or dispute
  11. to act as a replacement
  12. to make a brief informal visit

Stepped (adjective)

  1. increased in intensity

Stepped (phrase)

  1. to increase one's speed, hurry up; especially, to accelerate an automobile

Stepped (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in progressive, tapered

    similar: progressive, tapered, gradational, gradual, incremental, phased, piecemeal, step-by-step, imperceptible, inching, decrescent, increscent
    opposite: abrupt, sudden, discontinuous, saltatory, acute, sharp, changeable, dynamic, meteoric, volatile

Stepped (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to go on foot

    "I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner"

    similar: ambulated, footed (it), hoofed (it), legged (it), padded, traipsed, trod, walked
    related: paraded, promenaded, marched, paced, stepped out, strode, trooped, power walked, hiked, peregrinated, trekked, ambled, moseyed, perambulated, rambled, sauntered, strolled, wandered, clumped, stomped, stumped, tramped, trampled, tromped, footslogged, plodded, trudged, gimped, hobbled, limped, minced, pranced, pussyfooted, tiptoed, bounced, sashayed, stalked, strutted, swaggered, faltered, lumbered, lurched, pounded, scuffed, shambled, shuffled, staggered, stumbled, toddled, waddled, nipped, tapped, tripped, trotted

  2. to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music

    "she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor"

    similar: danced, footed (it), hoofed (it), shook a leg, tripped the light fantastic
    related: pranced, strutted, tripped, boogied, bopped, fox-trotted, gavotted, jigged, jitterbugged, jived, mamboed, polkaed, shagged, shimmied, shuffled, tangoed, tap-danced, twisted, waltzed, trod

  3. to proceed or move quickly

    "many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward"

    similar: barreled, belted, blasted, blazed, blew, bolted, bombed (slang), bowled, breezed, bundled, bustled, buzzed, cannonballed, careened, careered, chased, coursed, cracked (on), dashed, drove, flew, hared, hastened, hied, highballed, hotfooted (it), humped, hurled, hurried, hurtled, hustled, jetted, jumped, motored, nipped, pelted, raced, rammed, ran, ripped, rocketed, rushed, rustled, scooted, scurried, scuttled, shot, sped, tore, traveled, trotted, whirled, whisked, zipped, zoomed, beat it, got a move on, made tracks, shook a leg, stepped on it
    related: beetled, darted, flitted, scampered, scudded, scuffled, stampeded, streaked, whizzed, galloped, jogged, sprinted, accelerated, quickened, stepped out, caught up, fast-forwarded, outpaced, outran, outstripped, overtook, arrowed, beelined
    opposite: crawled, crept, poked
    near: dallied, dawdled, dillydallied, dragged, hung (around or out), lagged, lingered, loitered, poked, tarried, ambled, lumbered, plodded, sauntered, shuffled, strolled, decelerated, slowed (down or up)

Related Entry: Step (noun)

Step is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for step, not for stepped.

  1. an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

    "took steps to ensure that there would be no more incidences of food poisoning"

    similar: expedient, means, measure, move, shift
    related: act, action, deed, doing, feat, thing, course, procedure, proceeding, process, accomplishment, achievement, attainment, coup, exploit, success, triumph, activity, affair, business, dealing, enterprise, event, attempt, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, initiative, operation, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, undertaking, whack, effort, exertion, labor, pains, trouble, while, work, project, proposal, proposition, makeshift, resort, resource, stopgap, countermeasure, countermove, counterstep

  2. an individual part of a process, series, or ranking

    "the manual enumerates every step in the procedure for shutting down the assembly line"

    similar: chapter, cut, degree, grade, inch, notch, peg, phase, place, point, stage
    related: angle, aspect, facet, side, amount, measure, plane, decrement, increment

  3. the mark or impression made by a foot

    "steps in the sand leading into the water and back out again"

    similar: footmark, footprint, footstep, trace, vestige
    related: hoofprint, pug, spoor, track, tread

  4. the direction along which something or someone moves

    "their steps led them through a long corridor"

    similar: course, line, path, pathway, route, routeway (chiefly British), track, way
    related: circle, circuit, loop, orbit, arc, flight path, trajectory, ascent, descent

  5. a very small distance or degree

    "he lives just a step away from his elderly mother, so he's there if she needs him for any reason"

    similar: ace, hair, hairbreadth, hairline, hop, skip, and jump, inch, neck, shouting distance, stone's throw
    related: bit, crumb, dab, iota, jot, minim, mite, particle, smidgen, trace, trifle
    opposite: country mile, long haul, mile
    near: infinity, light-year

Related Entry: Step (verb)

Step is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for step, not for stepped.

  1. to go on foot

    "I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner"

    similar: ambulate, foot (it), hoof (it), leg (it), pad, traipse, tread, walk
    related: parade, promenade, march, pace, step out, stride, troop, power walk, hike, peregrinate, trek, amble, mosey, perambulate, ramble, saunter, stroll, wander, clump, stomp, stump, tramp, trample, tromp, footslog, plod, trudge, gimp, hobble, limp, mince, prance, pussyfoot, tiptoe, bounce, sashay, stalk, strut, swagger, falter, lumber, lurch, pound, scuff, shamble, shuffle, stagger, stumble, toddle, waddle, nip, tap, trip, trot

  2. to perform a series of usually rhythmic bodily movements to music

    "she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor"

    similar: dance, foot (it), hoof (it), shake a leg, trip the light fantastic
    related: prance, strut, trip, boogie, bop, fox-trot, gavotte, jig, jitterbug, jive, mambo, polka, shag, shimmy, shuffle, tango, tap-dance, twist, waltz, tread

  3. to proceed or move quickly

    "many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward"

    similar: barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bomb (slang), bowl, breeze, bundle, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, career, chase, course, crack (on), dash, drive, fly, hare, hasten, hie, highball, hotfoot (it), hump, hurl, hurry, hurtle, hustle, jet, jump, motor, nip, pelt, race, ram, rip, rocket, run, rush, rustle, scoot, scurry, scuttle, shoot, speed, tear, travel, trot, whirl, whisk, zip, zoom, beat it, get a move on, make tracks, shake a leg, step on it
    related: beetle, dart, flit, scamper, scud, scuffle, stampede, streak, whiz, gallop, jog, sprint, accelerate, quicken, step out, catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake, arrow, beeline
    opposite: crawl, creep, poke
    near: dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, poke, tarry, amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll, decelerate, slow (down or up)

Related Entry: Step (along) (verb)

Step (along) is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for step (along), not for stepped.

  1. to leave a place often for another

    "now that my ride's here, I'll be stepping along"

    similar: bail, bail out, begone, book (slang), bug off, bug out, bugger off (British slang), buzz (off), clear off (chiefly British), clear out, cut out, depart, dig out, exit, get, get off, go, go off, move, pack (up or off), part, peel off, pike (out or off), pull out, push off, push on, quit, run along, sally (forth), scarper (British), shove (off), take off, vamoose, walk out, beat it, hit the road, pull stakes, take a hike, take a powder
    related: set out, start, strike out, abscond, decamp, escape, evacuate, flee, fly, get out, mizzle (chiefly British), run away, scat, scram, skip, go out, light out, step out, abandon, desert, forsake, vacate, emigrate, adjourn, remove, retire, retreat, withdraw
    opposite: arrive, come, show up, turn up
    near: abide, dwell, lodge, remain, settle, stay, tarry, approach, close, near, hit, land, reach

Related Entry: Stepped (on) (verb)

Stepped (on) is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for stepped (on), not for stepped.

  1. as in ran over, ran down

    similar: overrode, ran down, ran over, champed, stamped, stomped, tramped, trampled, tromped, mashed, pulped, smashed, squashed, squelched, booted, hoofed, kicked

Related Entry: Stepped in (verb)

Stepped in is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for stepped in, not for stepped.

  1. to make a brief visit

    "I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class"

    similar: called, came by, came over, dropped by, dropped in, popped (in), ran in, ran (over), stopped (by or in), visited
    related: barged (in), looked up, saw, bopped (into), happened (by), frequented, haunted, hung (at), resorted (to)

  2. to serve as a replacement usually for a time only

    "couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties"

    similar: covered, filled in, pinch-hit, stood in, subbed, substituted, took over
    related: understudied, relieved, spelled, doubled (as)

Related Entry: Stepped out (verb)

Stepped out is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for stepped out, not for stepped.

  1. to be sexually unfaithful

    "if she catches him stepping out on her, she'll divorce him without a moment's hesitation"

    similar: cheated, philandered, screwed around
    related: catted (around), fooled around, fornicated, played (around), tomcatted (around), womanized, copulated, coupled, lay, made out, mated, slept, lusted

  2. to stop living

    "my greedy relatives are only being nice to me because they expect me to step out any time now"

    similar: checked out, conked (out), croaked (slang), deceased, demised, departed, died, dropped, ended, exited, expired, fell, flatlined, kicked in (slang), kicked off (slang), parted, passed away, passed (on), pegged out (chiefly British), perished, popped off, succumbed, went, bit the dust, bought it, gave up the ghost, kicked the bucket, snuffed it (British)
    related: predeceased, consumed, disappeared, dried up, faded, failed
    opposite: breathed, lived
    near: came to, revived, lingered, existed, subsisted, was, flourished, prospered, thrived

  3. to take part in social activities

    "waited until a year after her husband's death before stepping out again"

    similar: associated, fraternized, hobnobbed, mingled, mixed, socialized, went out, rubbed elbows
    related: caroused, partied, reveled, circulated
    near: avoided, eschewed, shunned, slighted, snubbed

Related Entry: Stepped up (verb)

Stepped up is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for stepped up, not for stepped.

  1. to make markedly greater in measure or degree

    "candidates stepping up their campaigns as election day draws near"

    "stepped up the pace to catch up with the others"

    similar: accentuated, amped (up), amplified, beefed (up), boosted, consolidated, deepened, enhanced, heightened, intensified, magnified, redoubled, strengthened
    related: broadened, enlarged, expanded, extended, lengthened, accelerated, hastened, quickened, emphasized, pointed (up), sharpened, stressed, augmented, enforced, reinforced, restrengthened, supplemented, maximized, enlivened, jazzed (up), aggravated, exacerbated
    opposite: abated, moderated
    near: decreased, diminished, lessened, let up (on), reduced, subdued, toned (down), weakened, dwindled, receded, subsided, tapered (off), waned, alleviated, eased, lightened

Related Entry: Stepped into (phrase)

Stepped into is a different word from Stepped. The synonyms below are for stepped into, not for stepped.

  1. to go or come in or into

    "Please step into my office."

    similar: accessed, entered, penetrated, pierced, set foot in
    related: barged (in), breezed (in), burst (in or into), waltzed (in), dropped in, popped (in), strayed (into), wandered (into), crashed, encroached, gate-crashed, infiltrated, infringed, intruded, invaded, trespassed
    opposite: departed, exited, left

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Stepped

The most common words with a similar meaning to Stepped:

Slang: bombed
progressive, tapered, gradational, gradual, incremental, phased, piecemeal, step-by-step, imperceptible, inching, decrescent, increscent, ambulated, footed (it), hoofed (it), legged (it), padded, traipsed, trod, walked, danced, barreled, belted, blasted, blazed, blew, bolted, bowled, breezed, bundled, bustled, buzzed, cannonballed, careened, careered, chased, coursed, cracked (on), dashed, drove

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Stepped

Words with the opposite meaning of Stepped:

abrupt, sudden, discontinuous, saltatory, acute, sharp, changeable, dynamic, meteoric, volatile, crawled, crept, poked

Related Words for Stepped

paraded, promenaded, marched, paced, stepped out, strode, trooped, power walked, hiked, peregrinated, trekked, ambled, moseyed, perambulated, rambled, sauntered, strolled, wandered, clumped, stomped, stumped, tramped, trampled, tromped, footslogged, plodded, trudged, gimped, hobbled, limped

Near Antonyms of Stepped

dallied, dawdled, dillydallied, dragged, hung (around or out), lagged, lingered, loitered, tarried, ambled, lumbered, plodded, sauntered, shuffled, strolled, decelerated, slowed (down or up)

Word Forms of Stepped

Inflections: stepping, steps, goose-stepped, goose-stepping, goose-steps, stepped aside, stepping aside, steps aside, stepped down, stepping down, steps down, stepped in, stepping in, steps in

Derived words: steplike (adjective), stepped (adjective), baby-step (verb, transitive + intransitive), one-step (intransitive verb)

Origin & Etymology of Stepped

Middle English, from Old English stæpe; akin to Old High German stapfo step, stampfōn to stamp

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Stepped

stepped-up

Frequently Asked Questions about Stepped

What does "Stepped" mean?

"Stepped" means a rest for the foot in ascending or descending. As an a noun, a verb, an adjective and a phrase, it is defined as: a rest for the foot in ascending or descending. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Stepped"?

Other words for "Stepped" include progressive, tapered, gradational, gradual, incremental, phased, piecemeal and step-by-step. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Stepped" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Stepped"?

There are 171 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Stepped". Common alternatives include progressive, tapered, gradational, gradual, incremental, phased, piecemeal, step-by-step, imperceptible and inching.

What is the opposite of "Stepped"?

Antonyms of "Stepped" include abrupt, sudden, discontinuous, saltatory, acute, sharp, changeable and dynamic. Near antonyms include dallied, dawdled, dillydallied and dragged.

How do you use "Stepped" in a sentence?

Examples of "Stepped" in a sentence: "I stepped across the street for a quick lunch at the new diner"; "she was in her element, happily stepping around the dance floor"; "many people wanted to linger before the president's bier, but guards kept the line of mourners stepping forward".

Is "Stepped" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Stepped" can be used as a noun, a verb, an adjective and a phrase, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Stepped"?

"Stepped" is pronounced /ˈstep/ as a noun, /ˈstept-ˈəp/ as an adjective, /ˈgüs-ˌstep/ as a verb and /ˈwən-ˌstep/ as a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Stepped"?

"Stepped" comes from Middle English, from Old English stæpe; akin to Old High German stapfo step, stampfōn to stamp. First known use: before 12th century.