fill-in 1 of 2

noun

ˈfil-ˌin How to pronounce fill-in (audio)
Definition of fill-innext
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

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fill in

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
There were the modest re-signings Wednesday of veterans Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian, the addition of career backup Calvin Pickard as a fill-in goalie for rehabbing Filip Gustavsson and four forwards destined for Iowa. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Temporary fill-in or permanent replacement? — Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2026
Verb
However, after Savannah stepped away from the Today show following the February abduction of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, Kotb temporarily returned to the anchor desk to fill in for Savannah. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Guard Tobias Raymond has played center in spring practice at USC, filling in when O'Connor was slowed by previous injuries. — CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in
  1. substitute
  2. inform
  3. stand in
  4. replacement
  5. tell
  6. take over
  7. backup
  8. advise
Noun
  • The government’s $600 million per year pledge, though appreciated and welcome, is not a substitute for durable, legally enforceable contribution obligations.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • These systems are the most futuristic pieces of the renovation, but Korem presents them as additions to a much larger recovery program—not substitutes for foundational work.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • Besides its use in educational settings and by other researchers, the report also helps inform national security policy and has been cited by NATO in the past, one source said.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The queen is hysterical when Orwyle informs her that Sunfyre has razed the Mooton army outside Maidenpool.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of inform
Verb
  • The tradition took hold in 1963, when a young musician later known as Screaming Lord Sutch stood in a by-election.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lee said Alameda County and Oakland authorities shut down her lemonade stand in June and seized her equipment during an enforcement operation in Uptown Oakland.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of stand in
Noun
  • Without Odobert, who was Kudus’ natural replacement on the right, or Kolo Muani, who filled in at that position for De Zerbi last term, there is no clear candidate to start at right wing should the Ghanaian not return in time for Brentford.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some pieces of equipment, including several 800-ton chillers that help cool the building, are decades old and in need of replacement.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of replacement
Verb
  • Davis also told Las Vegas police about his role in Tupac’s death.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • In summer 2022, the Today host told her audience how the then five-year-old used her allowance to buy an ice cream cone for a local restaurant manager.
    — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Semenyo had already completed a prolific season in England’s Premier League, scoring 17 league goals to take over boyhood idol Tony Yeboah’s long-standing record for most scored by a Ghanaian in a single season.
    — Andrew McNicol, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The new inspections are the result of a New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) report from March that revealed squatters took over at least 548 vacant NYCHA units from 2022 through 2025.
    — Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of take over
Noun
  • Morgan was the backup to Drew Cavanaugh on Monday night in the Giants’ series opener against the Houston Astros, but the team could seek a veteran option going forward.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The competition for the backup running back job has been delayed.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of backup
Verb
  • Eaton advises checking local facilities for specific costs and remembering that those costs do not include in-vitro fertilization treatment if the patient later chooses to use the eggs.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • My whole life, my father had brightened at the sight of me, laughed at my jokes, and advised my brother, three years younger, to follow my example.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of advise

Browse Nearby Words

fillies
fill-in
fill in
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Cite this Entry

“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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