stepping-stone

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.

He was once phenomenal but he's now a stepping stone for younger fighters and a shell of the fighter he once was.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Although the astronauts will not land on the moon, Artemis II mimics early Apollo missions that were designed as a stepping stone to test all of the equipment and procedures before making the daring landing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"It's a stepping stone to Mars, where we might have the most likelihood of finding evidence of past life, but it's also a Rosetta Stone for how other solar systems form."

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

For Painter, whose program thrives by developing players year-over-year instead of serving as a stepping stone for future NBA stars, Smith’s evolution has been the perfect proof of concept.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

That’s when I notice a crate, a stepping stone to the top of the wall.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari