Definitions

step aside

VERB

avoid

Synonyms

STRONGEST

avert bypass dodge escape evade fend off shun sidestep ward off

STRONG

abstain circumvent deflect desist ditch divert duck elude eschew flee hide jump obviate recoil shake shirk shy skip skirt weave withdraw

WEAK

circumlocute cold-shoulder fake out give the slip hold off keep clear lay low run for cover shake and bake shake off shrink from shuffle off skip out on skip town stay away stay out steer clear of turn aside

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet

STRONG

allow help permit stay take on

WEAK

seek want

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Members of Congress have rescinded their endorsements, and ideological allies like Sanders and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani have urged him to step aside.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2026

Pressed over whether the prime minister should step aside, Rayner said: "Keir will have to reflect on that."

From BBC • May 14, 2026

She can’t neatly step aside, and there isn’t a clear successor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

“You have to discipline yourself to step aside and let your kid do it,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Children would step aside when he drew near, and the smaller ones often ducked behind their mothers’ skirts.

From "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park

step aside

Example Sentences

Related Words