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.

On Thursday, Republicans urged Gonzales to step aside, and that night he ended his campaign.

From Slate • Mar. 9, 2026

The executives believe Wasserman will likely step aside from the music agency and sell that wing of his company.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

In an email to staff shared on social media by one of the newspaper's reporters, Lewis said it was "the right time for me to step aside."

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

There were widespread calls for the bishop to step aside after the Channel 4 programme aired, with church leaders calling his position "untenable".

From BBC • Jan. 16, 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