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
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Last week the former Skid Row singer was announced as the fill-in frontman for Twisted Sister‘s upcoming 50th anniversary tour after Dee Snider withdrew due to health concerns.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026
Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Ahead of the draft, Miami has established some depth on the line with the offseason addition of Charlie Heck, who can serve as a quality swing tackle capable of filling in on either side.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Noun
Ware was quiet as the Heat’s fill-in starting center, recording seven points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field and 0-of-6 shooting on threes, eight rebounds, one assist and one block in 28 minutes.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
Last week the former Skid Row singer was announced as the fill-in frontman for Twisted Sister‘s upcoming 50th anniversary tour after Dee Snider withdrew due to health concerns.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
This one makes things easy, with all kinds of prompts for mom to fill in about that very special baby and their first five years.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026
Ahead of the draft, Miami has established some depth on the line with the offseason addition of Charlie Heck, who can serve as a quality swing tackle capable of filling in on either side.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in
Noun
-
Students — too young to know her career — treated her like any other substitute.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The charismatic presence of both the leading and supporting actors doesn’t so much fill out the personalities as substitute for them.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Clancy will be undergoing a forensic psychological evaluation later this week after Reddington informed the court of her intention to plead not guilty by reason of insanity at trial.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
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So he was astonished when Megson informed him he was being released.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rising sea level and advancing coastal erosion have left entire neighborhoods standing in the surf in communities like Buxton and Rodanthe.—
Mark Price
April 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Later on Tuesday, videos emerged on social media depicting Iranians standing in a chain in front of the Kazeroon power plant, waving the Iranian flag.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The 24-year-old right-hander made his major league debut as a late replacement for right-hander Ryan Johnson, who fell ill, and had to bob and weave through the early innings.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
-
But in most cities wholesale replacement is logistically impossible.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bill Brown, Paragon Star’s chief operating officer, said at the time of the event, his group had been told the project was just a couple of weeks from being finished.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
During the chase, an officer told Toledo to show his hands.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The week before, large crowds of teenagers took over Chicago streets in the Loop, resulting in two dozen curfew violation citations and eight arrests.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
-
School of Sacramento Ballet Executive Director Kiera Anderson said Bradford approached the organization about taking over the location.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Horner complained that the delivery truck didn’t have a working backup camera.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Those newcomers, along with a few returning backups in Connor Meadows, Camp Lott and Owen Spell, give the Knights their core group heading into the 2026 season.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Murray Rothbard, a libertarian economist who advised Buchanan, had articulated a similar imperative.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The city posted a warning on the door advising people not to enter the building due to safety concerns.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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