Library / English Dictionary

SIDESTEP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

Irregular inflected forms: sidestepped    , sidestepping   

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("sidestep" is a kind of...):

step (the act of changing location by raising the foot and setting it down)

Domain category:

dance; dancing; saltation; terpsichore (taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music)

boxing; fisticuffs; pugilism (fighting with the fists)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)

Example:

he evaded the questions skillfully

Synonyms:

circumvent; dodge; duck; elude; evade; fudge; hedge; parry; put off; sidestep; skirt

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "sidestep" is one way to...):

avoid (stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "sidestep"):

beg (dodge, avoid answering, or take for granted)

quibble (evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Credits