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
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Recent Examples of fill-in
The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 29 July 2025
That’s all baked in, and while not always successfully (three of those characters are ultimately revisited by way of the use of on-screen sons, who provide tenuous fill-in work), there’s something to be said for how the film doesn’t look away from those implications.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 July 2025
Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2025
In June, researchers documented a phishing attack that used an .svg file to open a fake Microsoft login screen with the target’s email address already filled in.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Noun
How the rest of the season shakes out will determine whether the Pirates have a cornerstone at first or just another fill-in come Opening Day 2026.
—The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 29 July 2025
That’s all baked in, and while not always successfully (three of those characters are ultimately revisited by way of the use of on-screen sons, who provide tenuous fill-in work), there’s something to be said for how the film doesn’t look away from those implications.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 25 July 2025
Verb
Campbell has been filling in as Miami’s starting strong safety since Ashtyn Davis sustained a low extremity injury to his left leg in camp’s first week, but the return of Ifeati Melifonwu, who began training camp on the non-football injury list, might ease the possible loss of Campbell.
—Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2025
In June, researchers documented a phishing attack that used an .svg file to open a fake Microsoft login screen with the target’s email address already filled in.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in
Noun
-
This deep green, grass-like plant makes an ideal mow-free lawn substitute for shaded areas.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Aug. 2025
-
This would be a poor substitute for the system over which the United States had presided.—
Adam S. Posen,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The assessment will inform a potential request by Gov. Tony Evers for a presidential disaster declaration, which would unlock federal aid.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
For institutional and retail clients alike, that means strategies informed by real-time intelligence rather than backward-looking assumptions.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Right now, with a 76-57 record, the Cubs stand in first position in the National League Wild Card race.—
Andy Frye,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The school has stood in Fort Worth’s North Side neighborhood for more than 75 years, educating many generations of students.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Jhon Arias and David Moller Wolfe profile as direct replacements for Cunha and Ait-Nouri, and Fer Lopez is a talented player too.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Perfect Size and Burn Time: At a standard size, the candle provides ample burn time to keep the Halloween spirit glowing throughout the season without the hassle of frequent replacements.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Someone might be stalking you; someone might say something nice to your face and then run out and tell [the tabloids].—
Maer Roshan,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Tremonton Garland Police officers responded around 9:30 p.m. to the area near North Park Elementary School and were met with gunfire from a suspect, Brigham City Detective Crystal Beck told reporters during a briefing overnight.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
When Satya Nadella took over at Microsoft, the company was confidently certain.—
Curt Steinhorst,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
And then taking over Greenland and renaming the Gulf of Mexico.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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As a backup, Winston would be well worth the pursuit for Las Vegas.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Wentz, 32, played backup behind Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, throwing for 118 yards and zero touchdowns in three games (one start).—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Experts recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine now, but advise waiting until later September or early October for the flu vaccine.—
Beth Warren,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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One program called Student Support Services (SSS) provides tutoring, advising and other assistance to at-risk college students.—
Michael Vasquez,
NPR,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.
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