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 Boston Public Schools had already taken similar steps in January, in response to a separate $53 million budget shortfall.
—
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Under Mayor Adams, the city took meaningful steps in the right direction.
—Latoya Williams-Belfort, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
That has seen the club take some unusual steps in recent months.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Set an agenda for a meeting, then confirm next steps in writing so good ideas don’t get forgotten.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Federal workers have taken the first steps in a $32 million maintenance of the Blue Mesa Dam, the largest of three dams that were built in the 1960s to create Colorado's biggest reservoir.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Indeed, this proliferation of formats aligns with the proliferating number of steps in consumers’ fragrance routines.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Aura steps in during those quiet stretches, offering engagement instead of an empty room.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
While the water utility doesn’t yet have an official stance on the bill, Moore said his initial impression is that the measure is taking steps in the right direction.
—Emily L Mahoney, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
Under Mayor Adams, the city took meaningful steps in the right direction.
—Latoya Williams-Belfort, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026
That has seen the club take some unusual steps in recent months.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Set an agenda for a meeting, then confirm next steps in writing so good ideas don’t get forgotten.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2026
Federal workers have taken the first steps in a $32 million maintenance of the Blue Mesa Dam, the largest of three dams that were built in the 1960s to create Colorado's biggest reservoir.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026
Indeed, this proliferation of formats aligns with the proliferating number of steps in consumers’ fragrance routines.
—Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 9 Feb. 2026
Aura steps in during those quiet stretches, offering engagement instead of an empty room.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 Jan. 2026
While the water utility doesn’t yet have an official stance on the bill, Moore said his initial impression is that the measure is taking steps in the right direction.
—Emily L Mahoney, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps in
Verb
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Later in the book, after Thomas has died, the narrator visits Max at his home in California, where another hypnotic two-hander unfolds.—
Giles Harvey,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Four-fifths of the Celtics’ starting lineup could be unavailable when the team visits Charlotte on Sunday.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Ramps substitutes Because their season is so short, ramps can be hard to track down.—
Kelly Vaughan,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
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Once that trio had run themselves into the ground, substitutes Moore, Josh Windass and Nathan Broadhead took over to keep the pressure on.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This news that comes at a time when American whiskey is facing some pretty tough times and the global spirits industry overall is dealing with drops in sales and profits.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
30 Mar. 2026
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In real-world conditions, that assumption often breaks down due to damage or interference, leading to major drops in performance.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This new reality stands in contrast to Trump’s ability to move markets throughout his first term and into the outset of his second.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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Around that same time, Rebollo and Ilarde sought and were chosen to take part in a program at Petco Park that allows nonprofits to provide unpaid volunteers to staff concessions stands in return for about 10% of each stand’s revenue.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When her girls, 6 and 8, aren’t in school, a mix of summer camps and family fills in the gaps.—
Shay Castle,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
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Evans immediately fills in as Brock Purdy’s top pass-catching option, and more moves could come with Jauan Jennings also in free agency.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Parker Messick tossed six scoreless innings and the Cleveland Guardians broke the game open with three runs in the seventh inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 on Monday, spoiling the two-time World Series champions' perfect start.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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It was discontinued in 1994 but was later re-released for limited runs in the 2010s following consumer campaigns.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although embedded in spectacle culture, these events occasionally presented the possibility of truly poetic clashes between languages and artistic traditions—what Glissant calls an éclat, collisions that create sparks of novelty.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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The plan also calls for $31 million in additional spending for public education that would block cuts to magnet schools that could have led to tuition increases for the sending towns and potential cuts in health care for students in private schools.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Steps in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20in. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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