as in reduction
the amount by which something is lessened
took a huge step-down in income when she switched from a law career to one in social work
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of step-down
The Oasis has 1GB of RAM compared with the 500MB of the step-down models, which makes this device a tad zippier (CNET).
—
David Pierce, WIRED, 5 May 2016
The home has a step-down family room with rustic wood beams and paneling, brick wall, and woodstove; an eat-in kitchen; and a separate dining room.
—The Week Staff, theweek, 3 Sep. 2024
The manslaughter conviction is a step-down from the second-degree murder charge originally issued against Benefield after the death of her husband in 2020.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 31 July 2024
Economists anticipate a 190,000 gain in June nonfarm payrolls — a step-down from the previous month — with the unemployment rate holding at 4%.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for step-down 
David Pierce, WIRED, 5 May 2016
The home has a step-down family room with rustic wood beams and paneling, brick wall, and woodstove; an eat-in kitchen; and a separate dining room.
—The Week Staff, theweek, 3 Sep. 2024
The manslaughter conviction is a step-down from the second-degree murder charge originally issued against Benefield after the death of her husband in 2020.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 31 July 2024
Economists anticipate a 190,000 gain in June nonfarm payrolls — a step-down from the previous month — with the unemployment rate holding at 4%.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for step-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step-down
Noun
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The initiative's agenda includes aggressive deregulation, curbs on immigration, challenges to civil-rights protections, and a substantial reduction of the federal workforce, all with the aim of reducing the size and scope of government while reasserting executive authority.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
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For example, Santander Bank saw a 40% reduction in loan processing time after implementing nCino—making life easier for their team and customers.—
Sal Rehmetullah,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Overall car sales are expected to drop as autonomous taxis reduce the need for personal ownership of cars, with a decrease in traditional revenues for automotive suppliers like Valeo.—
Sabbir Rangwala,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Walz’s recommendations come after Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers’ 2023 two-year budget grew spending by nearly 40% to $70.7 billion — though some of that was one-time spending, so Walz’s cuts would not account for a more than $4 billion decrease.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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His drop has turned into a days-long news story, in part because the Ravens now have three tight ends each with one year left on their contracts: Jackson’s security blanket, Andrews; Isaiah Likely, a quickly ascending pass catcher; and perhaps the best blocking tight end of the trio, Charlie Kolar.—
Sam Cohn,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2025
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Advertisement Overall, this year’s best picture nominees brought in $877 million in domestic box office and $1.7 billion globally, marking a 37% drop from last year’s total best picture nominee totals.—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The statistics are alarming: teen mental health has plummeted since the widespread adoption of social media, with a particularly sharp decline following the pandemic’s surge in screen time.—
Raj Goyle,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
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That’s all the more important for Champagne producers, as the sector has taken a nosedive in the past few years: Shipments fell 9.2 percent last year, and companies such a Mumm posted double-digit declines in sales during the most recent fiscal year.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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But that’s not what’s happening here; Trump is seeking a full withdrawal and a halt to all payments, which will put an appreciable dent in the agency’s budget.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
25 Jan. 2025
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Google dominates search and no-one has yet to make much of a dent.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near step-down
Cite this Entry
“Step-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step-down. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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