lockstep

noun

lock·​step ˈläk-ˌstep 

often attributive

1

: a mode of marching in step by a body of persons going one after another as closely as possible

2

: a standard method or procedure that is mindlessly adhered to or that minimizes individuality

Phrases

in lockstep

: in perfect or rigid often mindless conformity or unison

politicians marching in lockstep with the party line

Synonyms

• drill
• grind
• groove
• pattern
• rote
• routine
• rut
• treadmill

Examples of lockstep in a Sentence

followed the lockstep that had been in his family for generations: prep school, Ivy League university, job on Wall Street

Recent Examples on the Web

Supposing that innovation increases with larger population size, Patel welcomes us to consider how armies of AI agents will work pretty much in lockstep. —John Werner, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in lockstep with the president, hinted the entire deal could collapse. —Josef Federman, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem after the meeting Sunday, Netanyahu and Rubio said Israel was in lockstep with the Trump administration to block Iran's path toward developing nuclear weapons. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

DeSantis is likely to pick someone who is in lockstep with him politically. —Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lockstep

• bicep
• doorstep
• footstep
• instep
• misstep
• sidestep
• cep
• hep
• pep
• prep
• rep
• sep

Kids Definition

lockstep

noun

lock·​step -ˌstep 

: a way of marching in step in which the marchers are very close one behind the other