1
as in informing
to give information to
my friend quickly filled me in on the portion of the movie that I had missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in standing in
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 filling in
During the suspension, Bode led 42 in helping the firefighters filling in for them in a mill fire.
—
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The Broncos appear to be turning to Alex Palczewski, the fanbase’s jumbo-tight-end hero, who held up adequately filling in for Mike McGlinchey for a few games at right tackle last year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Even in a game when rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was a late scratch because of an unspecified personal matter, the offensive line with Jaylon Moore filling in for Simmons was virtually seamless.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
With a constellation of eyes in the sky, forecasters could suddenly monitor conditions over oceans and remote landmasses, filling in major gaps in their models and providing an early warning system about potential storms forming far away.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Oasis did not say who would be filling in for Arthurs during the upcoming shows.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Smith had been filling in as James Daniel’s replacement as Miami’s starting right guard because of the pectoral injury that got Daniel’s placed on injured reserve.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
If your lawn is struggling right around a tree, try filling in with a few bulbs.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2025
Trey Benson, who will be filling in for James Conner the remainder of the season after his year-ending foot injury last week, had 35 yards on just eight carries in his first game as the team’s primary running back.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The Broncos appear to be turning to Alex Palczewski, the fanbase’s jumbo-tight-end hero, who held up adequately filling in for Mike McGlinchey for a few games at right tackle last year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2025
Even in a game when rookie left tackle Josh Simmons was a late scratch because of an unspecified personal matter, the offensive line with Jaylon Moore filling in for Simmons was virtually seamless.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
With a constellation of eyes in the sky, forecasters could suddenly monitor conditions over oceans and remote landmasses, filling in major gaps in their models and providing an early warning system about potential storms forming far away.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Oasis did not say who would be filling in for Arthurs during the upcoming shows.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
Smith had been filling in as James Daniel’s replacement as Miami’s starting right guard because of the pectoral injury that got Daniel’s placed on injured reserve.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
If your lawn is struggling right around a tree, try filling in with a few bulbs.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2025
Trey Benson, who will be filling in for James Conner the remainder of the season after his year-ending foot injury last week, had 35 yards on just eight carries in his first game as the team’s primary running back.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling in
Verb
-
Most people start by informing either their HR department or their direct supervisor.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
17 Oct. 2025
-
But Schneider walked to the mound with every past conversation catalogued in his mind, with every lesson informing each step.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Children…who had previously not read for pleasure are standing in line at bookstores and libraries to get the next book in the series.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
12 Oct. 2025
-
The only thing standing in his way is that Heiskanen tends to get the PP1 duties.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The shared ambivalence of all of these critics was telling.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Ye Fan for The New York Times Caroline Palmer was telling the story of how she got hired at Vogue in 2001 when a waitress at Tierney’s Tavern plunked two pints of beer and a pile of glistening onion rings on the table between us.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Maduro is widely believed to have lost the 2024 presidential election to rival Edmundo González, a candidate substituting Machado, yet still claimed victory.—
David Smilde,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
-
William wrote Temple out of his will, substituting his granddaughter.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The transaction was concluded in August, with HSBC Bank and HDFC Bank advising on it, according to the people close to the deal.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
McGawley adds, advising that the least successful way to pass along money and assets is to wait until children reach an age milepost such as 30 and then hand over a substantial income without any scaffolding.—
Christina Binkley,
Robb Report,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As seasoned workers retire, the next generation is not stepping in fast enough to replace them.—
Mark Rayfield,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Trotter’s wife, Tanya, echoes her husband’s enthusiasm and is even looking forward to stepping in the ring for some physicality, if needed.—
Carl Lamarre,
Billboard,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When Miami Metro’s Angel Batista (David Zayas) arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The system is still catching up to the fact that preventative care is in fact necessary now.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Mills was honored for her performance as Heather Webber on General Hospital, a role she's played since 1980 after taking over for Robin Mattson.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Xi launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign after taking over as leader of the Communist Party in 2012.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Filling in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling%20in. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share