1
as in visits
to make a brief visit
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in substitutes
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of steps in
The Manitou Incline, located at the base of Pikes Peak, gains 2,000 feet of elevation over 2,768 steps in less than a mile.
—
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Washington — The Senate is returning to Washington on Monday from a week-long recess as Republicans prepare to take the next steps in their plan to fund immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security without help from Democrats.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 May 2026
This is among the first steps in characterizing the quality of a particular cacao.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 May 2026
When workers lack bargaining power, the government steps in.
—Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The mega-pop star arrived at the 2026 Met Gala steps in a Saint Laurent gown made of silk, tulle, and resin with an iris flower motif.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
The daughter of Nicole Kidman and country musician Keith Urban stepped onto the Met steps in a milestone moment for both the fashion world and her family.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
The next and final steps in his rehab are to make back-to-back appearances and to come in during the middle of an inning.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
One of the first steps in allowing users to contribute to news was the addition of comments sections to news stories that were posted online.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 25 May 2026
Washington — The Senate is returning to Washington on Monday from a week-long recess as Republicans prepare to take the next steps in their plan to fund immigration agencies under the Department of Homeland Security without help from Democrats.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 11 May 2026
This is among the first steps in characterizing the quality of a particular cacao.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 10 May 2026
When workers lack bargaining power, the government steps in.
—Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026
The mega-pop star arrived at the 2026 Met Gala steps in a Saint Laurent gown made of silk, tulle, and resin with an iris flower motif.
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 4 May 2026
The daughter of Nicole Kidman and country musician Keith Urban stepped onto the Met steps in a milestone moment for both the fashion world and her family.
—Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
The next and final steps in his rehab are to make back-to-back appearances and to come in during the middle of an inning.
—Tim Britton, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
One of the first steps in allowing users to contribute to news was the addition of comments sections to news stories that were posted online.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps in
Verb
-
San Diego is 32-26 and visits Philadelphia from Tuesday through Thursday before returning home to host the Mets on Friday.—
Tim Britton,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, center right, visits the Evangelical Medical Center (CEM) in Bunia, Congo, Sunday, May 31, 2026.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
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But no technology substitutes for the human infrastructure, partnerships, and political will that made the old system work.—
Stephanie Psaki,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
-
It is offered as rationale for below-market compensation, as though mission alignment is a form of currency that substitutes for pay.—
Charles Stanton,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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But with little substance beyond the scares, the genre became notorious for drastic second-weekend drops in ticket sales.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
1 June 2026
-
The former ice cream wizard at Antico Nuovo is now behind limited ice cream drops in West Hollywood.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Pending the rest of the weekend’s games, Summit FC stands in eighth place in the NWSL ahead of a 35-day break.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
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Blaming American negotiators Despite Israel’s displeasure with the emerging agreement, its relatively muted response stands in stark contrast to the fierce campaign Netanyahu waged against the 2015 Iran nuclear deal signed by former President Barack Obama.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Schmidt then fills in the blanks.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
The silver shade covers the shoe’s panels, while black fills in the liner, midsole and branding.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The Trojans added two more runs in the eighth.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
But the celebration in Colorado’s dugout was premature because the Dodgers scored four runs in the bottom of the frame.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Graduation is a huge milestone that calls for celebration and fanfare — and of course, gifts.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
The problem About 15 million adults and children, or about 1 in 3 of our state’s residents, rely on Medi-Cal, which is what California calls its Medicaid program.—
Anita Chabria,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20in. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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