side·step
ˈsīd-ˌstep 
sidestepped; sidestepping; sidesteps
2
: to move out of the way of : avoid
sidestep a blow
sidestepper
noun
1
: a step aside (as in boxing to avoid a blow)
2
: a step taken sideways (as when climbing on skis)
Examples of sidestep in a Sentence
Verb
She sidestepped the reporter's question.
They're sidestepping the real issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
Laura Grimm, the acting administrator of the NOAA and a marine scientist, sidestepped specific questions about how budget cuts aimed at climate science would affect the organization’s work and highlighted the vital work of the agency to help communities prepare and save lives.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 22 May 2025
Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 2025
He’s known for his funky delivery, which includes a low arm slot and no leg kick, just a side step.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
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Verb
Several ultimately stepped down following their testimony before Congress, including Harvard’s Claudine Gay, who apologized for lawyerly answers that sidestepped how protesters calling for genocide should be disciplined.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 29 May 2025
Laura Grimm, the acting administrator of the NOAA and a marine scientist, sidestepped specific questions about how budget cuts aimed at climate science would affect the organization’s work and highlighted the vital work of the agency to help communities prepare and save lives.
—Contessa Brewer, CNBC, 22 May 2025
Noun
There's no additional package information available for the 2026 Kia Sportage X-Pro Prestige at the time of writing, but Kia offers several accessories like X-Line cross bars ($360) and side step bars ($690).
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 2025
He’s known for his funky delivery, which includes a low arm slot and no leg kick, just a side step.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sidestep
Cite this Entry
“Sidestep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sidestep. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sidestep
verb
side·step
-ˌstep
1
: to take a step to the side
2
: to avoid by a step to the side
sidestep a blow
3
: to avoid answering or dealing with
sidestep a question
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