sidestep

1 of 2

verb

side·​step ˈsīd-ˌstep How to pronounce sidestep (audio)
sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps
Synonyms of sidestepnext

transitive verb

1
: bypass, evade
sidestep a question
2
: to move out of the way of : avoid
sidestep a blow

intransitive verb

1
: to take a side step
2
: to avoid an issue or decision
sidestepper noun

side step

2 of 2

noun

1
: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid a blow)
2
: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on skis)

Synonyms of sidestep

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of sidestep in a Sentence

Verb She sidestepped the reporter's question. They're sidestepping the real issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being accused of playing royals on their own terms — and sidestepping the late Queen Elizabeth II's wishes in the process. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 Trump sidestepped a question earlier this month on Netanyahu's reelection bid. — Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
Designed for ranch work and rugged driving, the Terra pickup features green paint, 37-inch tires on 18-inch wheels, heavy-duty side steps, a front bull bar, a roof basket with lights, and expanded cargo-bed storage. — Chase Jordan october 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026 The pool’s design is perhaps what’s most striking, as it’s constructed with an acrylic glass window and non-slip side steps that are built into the frame. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sidestep

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1860, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sidestep was circa 1656

Rhymes for sidestep

See All Rhymes for sidestep

Browse Nearby Words

side sprig
sidestep
side step
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidestep. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

sidestep

verb
side·​step -ˌstep How to pronounce sidestep (audio)
1
: to take a step to the side
2
: to avoid by a step to the side
sidestep a blow
3
: to avoid answering or dealing with
sidestep a question
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of compunction

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All