definitions

sidestep

[ sahyd-step ]
/ ˈsaɪdˌstɛp /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sidestep ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), side·stepped, side·step·ping.

to step to one side.
to evade or avoid a decision, problem, or the like.

verb (used with object), side·stepped, side·step·ping.

to avoid or dodge by stepping aside.
to evade or avoid (a decision, problem, or the like).

RELATED WORDS

skirt, avoid, evade, bypass, duck, fudge, pussyfoot, escape, elude, weasel, shake, shirk, ditch, juke

Nearby words

sidesman, sidespin, sidesplitter, sidesplitting, sidesplittingly, sidestep, sidestream smoke, sidestroke, sideswipe, sidetrack, sidewalk

Origin of sidestep

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Related forms

side·step·per, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sidestep

British Dictionary definitions for sidestep

sidestep

/ (ˈsaɪdˌstɛp) /

verb -steps, -stepping or -stepped

to step aside from or out of the way of (something)
(tr) to dodge or circumvent

noun side step

a movement to one side, as in dancing, boxing, etc

Derived Forms

sidestepper, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012