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.
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Recent Examples of fill-in
Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Whether Hyland has entrenched himself in a 10-man rotation, has surpassed Conley in the pecking order or has merely been a fill-in while Conley works through early-season struggles remains to be seen.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2025
The Predator as a mysterious murder monster is getting some of his backstory filled in, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Noun
Young also had a fill-in right guard, Jake Curhan, play the bulk of the first half and finish out the game.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Whether Hyland has entrenched himself in a 10-man rotation, has surpassed Conley in the pecking order or has merely been a fill-in while Conley works through early-season struggles remains to be seen.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
In this same spirit, Zuckerberg began to suggest the idea that AI chatbots could fill in some of the socialization that people are missing.
—Damon Beres, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2025
The Predator as a mysterious murder monster is getting some of his backstory filled in, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in
Noun
-
The France midfielder signed from Lyon in the summer has been eased into his Premier League career after a two-month injury layoff, with Guardiola using him mostly as an impact substitute since returning to action in mid-October.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Private-sector sources, including the university’s sentiment survey, provide a partial substitute amid the blackout.—
Bloomberg News,
Boston Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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According to Philadelphia magazine, the dismissal took place via an email in which she was informed that she was being terminated for cause.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
6 Nov. 2025
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The same year, California also banned the use of simulated fire in active shooter drills and required that parents be informed that a drill is taking place.—
Alana Semuels,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Last month, rapidly-growing 7 Brew Coffee opened its 500th location, adding a stand in New Jersey.—
John Magsam,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
-
The historic build-up stands in stark contrast to the United States’ own supply struggles.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
After losing star tight end Tucker Kraft , who led the team with 489 yards receiving and six touchdowns, to a season-ending ACL injury, Green Bay was on the hunt to find a suitable replacement.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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With a focus on quality and accessibility, Pisen's product offerings include power banks, chargers, cables, audio accessories, car accessories, portable power stations, and phone replacement parts.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The judge also noted she had not previously been told a mechanic had worked on the car, and also the government has given at least two different accounts of who approved the car’s removal to Maine.—
Omar Jimenez,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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While many people might rush to see a doctor after such a discovery, Farrington put it off, telling herself that the lump would disappear naturally.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
On Academy Street, taken over by Dominicans, the Fourth translated into a jubilant handful of families and neighbors on each stretch of sidewalk, with speakers, folding chairs, and beer bottles at the foot of stern buildings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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Now, he's officially taken over as the Panthers' clear lead back moving forward.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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This week’s episode — which had a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame theme — resulted in Danielle Fishel getting sent home, while Jen Affleck and former Taylor Swift backup dancer Jan Ravnik were eliminated the week before that.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
5 Nov. 2025
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Briny oysters are the star of this dish with little backup needed.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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To avoid this issue, Wang advises simply following the product labels and dosage information while also maintaining a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule for your machine.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Once considered superficial next to financial advice and tax planning, services for health and wellness, family and kids, and travel and self-improvement are becoming core competencies in the business of advising and helping wealthy families.—
Robert Frank,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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