step aside

verb

stepped aside; stepping aside; steps aside

intransitive verb

: to withdraw from one's position or occupation : step down

Examples of step aside in a Sentence

a newscaster who knew when it was time to step aside from the anchor desk and let a younger person take over the prime minister was compelled to step aside from his office when it was demonstrated that he had violated the public trust
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.
Vice President Kamala Harris took over from Biden, who stepped aside under pressure in July. Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, George Washington, the first U.S. president, stepped aside after serving two terms. Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024 Only a handful of times in history has a former president lost and sought the White House again, or has a president stepped aside in the middle of his reelection campaign. Stephanie Murray, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Democrats quickly coalesced around Harris, hours after Biden announced his historic decision to step aside on July 21, less than a month after his consequential June 27 debate with Trump. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for step aside 

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of step aside was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near step aside

Cite this Entry

“Step aside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/step%20aside. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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