FILL (IN) Synonyms: 79 Similar and Opposite Words

fill-in 1 of 2

noun

ˈfil-ˌin

Definition of fill-in

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

fill in

2 of 2

verb

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

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

Vizzina threw for 317 yards and three touchdowns in a fill-in start, losing to SMU in 2025. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Based on the current fill-in rotation, Isola and Mina Kimes would be among the most plausible candidates. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

The effect is of a self-portrait in mosaic, each movie filling in a space or some, even better, opening up a new one. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026 Cooper Rush filled in and proceeded to throw four interceptions and never going over 150 yards in losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fill-in

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in

Noun

New cookbook releases and celebrity recipes that use cottage cheese as a ricotta or cream cheese substitute rather than a topping.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026
In July, the department accused UC San Diego’s medical school of using hardship questions as a substitute for directly considering race.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of substitute

Verb

Upon stepping at the brand’s showroom here, one could be met with an explosion of tangerine hues informing unfussy tops, tunics and cotton dresses cut in essential shapes and infused with vitaminic energy.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
The app can also track who goes through your door and when, sending notifications to keep you informed.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of inform

Verb

But newspaper people ought to stand in solidarity with our broadcast brethren/competitors in this incredibly small-minded and grudging clash between the White House and the Washington press corps.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
The remarks stand in stark contrast to Trump’s earlier posture toward Greenland, which had included months of combative rhetoric, tariff threats and a refusal to rule out military force to acquire the island.

— Alejandra Jaramillo, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of stand in

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

When Arisa proclaims herself a Faithful, Michael looks hilariously stunned, and Alan tells them to weep for the fall of innocence and the failure of justice.

— Alice Burton, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026
Hawaii officials told residents to put together emergency kits and the governor issued an emergency proclamation, activating more than 230 Hawaii National Guard members.

— MEGAN JANETSKY, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of tell

Verb

Soon after starting college, Nussbaum joined students who took over the University of Chicago administration building.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Then, sometime in the 2000s, a different Cruise took over, the star whose name alone could still fill a theater.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of take over

Noun

Now the clock is ticking on whether Harbaugh is grooming McCarthy to compete with Jameis Winston for the starting job or if the Giants only acquired McCarthy as developmental backup insurance.

— Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
However, Bagent is expected to serve as the backup to third-stringer Case Keenum, who will start, according to multiple reports.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of backup

Verb

Those who submit a valid claim can receive up to $10, though administrators advise payment amounts could decrease depending on the number of claims received.

— Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026
While Young never received a formal reprimand, he was made aware of the Congress’s frustration and others in the corps were advised not to follow his lead, per NASA.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of advise

Browse Nearby Words

fillies

fill-in

fill in

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fill-in

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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