step back

verb

stepped back; stepping back; steps back
: to stop doing something or being actively involved in something for a time so in order to think about it and make decisions in a calm and reasonable way
You need to step back and give yourself some time to work through this.

Examples of step back in a Sentence

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For executives, that means not only developing the resilience to perform under pressure, but also recognizing when to step back and recover. — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 People reported that tensions between the brothers deepened after Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in 2020. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Then Cyrus got real about the difficulty of getting back on stage to perform after so many years and her decision to step back from the rigors of major tours. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026 Laforteza’s step back from the group comes after member Manon Bannerman announced her own temporary hiatus in February. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for step back

Rhymes for step back

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Browse Nearby Words

step aside
step back
step backward/forward
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Cite this Entry

“Step back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20back. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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