Abstract: Soft set theory is a useful mathematical tool to deal with uncertainty in a parametric manner. Near sets have been used as a tool to study extensions of topological spaces. The present paper introduces and studies nearness of finite order, S_n- merotopy, in soft set theory. An S_m- merotopic space (U,ζ_m,E) is introduced for a given S_n- merotopic space (U,ζ,E), where m and n are integers with the restriction that 2≤m≤n. For m≤n an S_n- merotopy ζ_* from a given S_n- merotopy ζ having the property that ζ=(ζ_*)_m is constructed and the largest S_n- merotopy having such property is derived. For an S_n- merotopic space (U,ζ), every maximal ζ- compatible family is a maximal ζ- clan.
DOI: *As the DOI is a unique identifier, it is already available in the pdf version. **The DOI link will be activated in the first midst of January 2026.