steps in

present tense third-person singular of step in
1
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of steps in The first steps in that direction were the launch of CoComelon Lane. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 When Andrew Dismukes’ character repeatedly pressures his dad to try the titular dish, Gillis steps in to put an end to the interrogation. — Anna Tingley, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 One of fashion’s favorite sneaker brands is hoping to encourage more people to get their 10,000 steps in. — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026 This can include addressing low visibility or reputational concerns, as well as inaccuracies—which is where a PR team steps in to ensure media outreach and content strategy are aligned. — Michelle Mekky, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Her first steps in fashion began as a model for Walter Albini, Krizia and Cadette, among others. — Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026 Checking these boxes will be the first steps in what is projected to be a long, productive hockey livelihood. — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The developments mark key steps in tackling an economic crisis sparked by the discovery of previously unreported debt. — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Most notably, Softaculous failed to follow one of the most common safety steps in software development, which is to validate software updates using code signing. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for steps in
Verb
  • Later, Fielder visits Seyfried at her apartment and shows her footage of Holmes watching her performance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Derrick is a Butler County native who visits The Lighthouse in Valencia every other week for food and other supplies.
    — Corey Martin, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Then, with one click of a Copy button, the website quietly substitutes a command that could put your Mac at risk.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • This approach substitutes information for sensation, and reduces both human and supra-human experiences to the level of data.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • In both cases, people with pre-existing hypertension experienced bigger drops in systolic and diastolic pressure than those with normal blood pressure.
    — MD Published, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Some individual teams who have lost local TV deals reportedly faced $20 million revenue drops in related earnings as a result.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That rare show of unity among rivals stands in sharp contrast with Thiel’s view that the push to slow AI down is not caution but something closer to evil.
    — Sasha Tuddenham, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That stands in direct contrast to attackers such as Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who prefer to move the ball forward quickly.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The left-hander started Game 1 on Monday and allowed two runs in five innings.
    — Joe Reedy, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Milwaukee's bullpen has allowed just two runs in the entire postseason in almost 40 innings pitched.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Seyfried, now literally playing a character in playing Holmes, also fills in for moments that Oppenheim didn’t or couldn’t record.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026
  • But the clever props design (Bruce Dickinson and Anna Kraus) fills in any shoestring gaps.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Braids and the Bonds of Sisterhood The act of braiding each other’s hair throughout history is what Gibson calls an intimate one.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The line began with Stellina in 2018, which Vaonis calls the world's first smart telescope, followed by book-sized Hestia and the compact Vespera II.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Steps in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/steps%20in. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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