stand in 1 of 2

verb

Definition of stand innext
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only she will be standing in for the regular teacher for a week

Synonyms & Similar Words

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stand-in

2 of 2

noun

ˈstand-ˌin How to pronounce stand-in (audio)
as in substitute
a person or thing that takes the place of another hired him at the last minute as a stand-in for the person who quit

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 stand in
Verb
In an algebraic equation, however, that number may be replaced with a variable—typically a letter—that can, for example, stand in for how many apples, under such and such conditions, there will be in the future. — Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026 In the photo, Del Rey and Dufrene posed outside with the three kids standing in between them. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
Socrates is drinking a cup of Froot Loops, a toxic stand-in for the hemlock the philosopher drank. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 18 Sep. 2026 While the original movie used Washington State's Whidbey Island as a stand-in for New England, production for the sequel moved to the United Kingdom. — Alex Jhamb Burns, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stand in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stand in
  1. substitute
  2. replacement
  3. fill in
  4. step in
  5. take over
Verb
  • Wall Street does not have a clear line of sight on revenue for some of these projects, which substitute upfront capital spending for multi-year operating expenses, as the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) noted in a March analysis .
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Independent performance assessments, ideally conducted by a nominating committee with external input, ensure that personal conviction does not substitute for structural accountability.
    — Albana Vrioni, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of substitute
Noun
  • The airline representative added that passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft to continue the trip.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Recovered messages showed that after a plan to kidnap Moïse failed, the group began souring on Sanon and chose a new replacement for the Haitian president, Superior Court Justice Windelle Coq Thélot.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of replacement
Verb
  • By filling in those gaps at the time of retrieval with the most likely possibility, your memory system can actually be quicker and be more flexible and work online in a timely manner.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
  • An only child in a home filled in equal parts by silence and books, Laura was grateful for a friend.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of fill in
Verb
  • Kam Moore stepped in at linebacker for Robert Stephens III, who went down with a lower leg injury in the first half.
    — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The Kings are also counting on young forwards Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere, both 24, to take the next step in their development.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of step in
Verb
  • When Maguire is done, Garfield takes over, just as, in Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales can take on the role of Spider-Man after Peter Parker’s death.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Citing sources familiar with the matter, the paper reported that Goldman’s board has discussed a plan for Waldron to take over after Solomon’s eight-year run as chief executive.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of take over

Browse Nearby Words

stand for
stand in
stand-in
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Cite this Entry

“Stand in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stand%20in. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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