stepping-stone

NOUN

instrumentation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apparatus instrument

STRONG

agency agent aid auspices avenue channel course dodge equipment expedient factor fashion gimmick instrumentality intermediary machinery manner measure mechanism medium ministry mode organ organization paraphernalia path power process road route step system tactic technique trick vehicle

WEAK

modus operandi ways and means

Antonyms

STRONG

blockage disorganization ignorance

NOUN

means

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aid channel equipment factor instrument measure mechanism medium mode power process route step system tactic technique vehicle

STRONG

agency agent apparatus auspices avenue course dodge expedient fashion gimmick instrumentality instrumentation intermediary machinery manner ministry organ organization paraphernalia path road trick

WEAK

modus operandi ways and means

Antonyms

STRONGEST

end

WEAK

paucity poorness shame

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.

The event is widely seen as a stepping stone towards India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics.

From Barron's

This group will see a Grand Slam as a stepping stone to bigger success and a huge source of momentum heading into 2027.

From BBC

Damage was caused to a 500-year-old ruined castle after a visitor used part of a wall to make stepping stones across a large puddle.

From BBC

Moscow, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over 16 months ago, sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to attacking other cities.

From Reuters

“We’re just using this as a stepping stone so we can get right back to training for worlds.”

From Seattle Times