as in substitute
a person or thing that takes the place of another
I'm just a fill-in, so I have no idea where office supplies are kept
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to inform
to give information to
my friend quickly filled me in on the portion of the movie that I had missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
she's only filling in while the regular secretary is on vacation
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 fill-in
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Part of Torre loved being a fill-in, riding the wave of success that others had built.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 30 May 2025
R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
Jhangiani, currently the group's chief financial officer, will fill in following Crew's departure.
—Jenni Reid,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Noun
Quinn has been the fill-in coach for games when Spoelstra has not be available.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Part of Torre loved being a fill-in, riding the wave of success that others had built.
—Zak Keefer, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Verb
Part of getting to know other people involves filling in the biographical details with context, color, and, most importantly, empathy.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
Jhangiani, currently the group's chief financial officer, will fill in following Crew's departure.
—Jenni Reid,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in
Noun
-
The call is for more person-to-person clienteling, which can be aided by AI, yet AI is no substitute for the personal connection.—
Pamela N. Danziger,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
But what really rankles is the idea that these digital interlocutors are a plausible substitute for real friends or family.—
Paul Bloom,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
For over 50 years, Travel + Leisure has informed and inspired millions of travelers, offering practical advice, essential travel news, and personal narratives from our network of on-the-ground writers around the world.—
Jamie Hergenrader,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
-
Post-Earnings Positioning: Conversely, traders can wait for the earnings announcement and then evaluate the relationship between immediate and medium-term returns to inform their subsequent trading actions.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are the last men standing in the Wimbledon final, revving up for another edition of their growing rivalry on the biggest stage in the sport.—
The Athletic Tennis Staff,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
In security footage reviewed by the Tribune and other media after the news conference, the agents were seen arriving in unmarked vehicles and standing in a group in the parking lot.—
Nell Salzman,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The Rays have potential replacements in Joe Boyle and rehabbing ace Shane McClanahan.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 July 2025
-
Frequent repairs or premature replacement costs are a major expense.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
Verb
-
We were told that hundreds of deals were in the making.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
-
Sources familiar with the matter tell The Hollywood Reporter that the projections for the album — his seventh full-length — are estimated at about 150,000 to 160,000 album equivalent units for week one, while Hits magazine is projecting 175,000 units.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Bob Chesney took over for Curt Cignetti, who did wonders at Indiana, and went 9-4 as a first-year FBS coach in 2024.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Morejón took over for Pivetta with a runner on first base and struck out Kyle Schwarber to end the seventh inning and got Trea Turner on a line drive to center field to start the eighth.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Simmons would give the Kings a capable backup for point guard Dennis Schroder, who recently came to Sacramento in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
18 July 2025
-
Daniel spent one season with the Eagles in 2016 as the backup to then-rookie Carson Wentz.—
Justin Grasso,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Millions of people across the United States have been advised to limit outdoors activity amid concerns over high air pollution levels.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Redmond advises measuring the length, width, and height of your space, then determining where your sofa will be situated.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share