filling in

verb

present participle of fill in
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

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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 I'mPhaedra Trethan, grateful to Rebecca Morin and Natalie Neysa Alund for filling in during my week off. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 After practice, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier — filling in with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy away from the team — said the plays were designed to emphasize the strengths of the team’s new personnel. — Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 Charlie Heck, who has been filling in for Austin Jackson as Miami’s starting right tackle, had a respectable day Tuesday. — Omar Kelly august 4, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 The announcement builds on plans first revealed at the network's Upfronts in May, filling in details on nominees and a broader festival concept reshaping the franchise. — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 On Monday, Savannah and her co-anchor, Craig Melvin, were both out, with Sheinelle Jones and Hallie Jackson filling in. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026 Guthrie sat next to Sheinelle Jones, who was filling in for Melvin on Monday. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 20 July 2026 For this week’s Infinite Scroll column, Brady Brickner-Wood is filling in for Kyle Chayka. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Juicy blueberries burst during baking, melding with the fresh peach juices for a gorgeous, saucy filling in this pie. — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 12 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling in
  1. informing
  2. standing in
  3. telling
  4. substituting
  5. advising
  6. stepping in
  7. catching up
  8. taking over
Verb
  • Much of the information employers consider originates outside the organization and may pass through several sources or intermediaries before informing an employment decision.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The findings from these types of exercises are important for informing where an organization could improve.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • The videos employ audio of the artist’s conversations with various people, with the figurines standing in for the artist and the women around her.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Growth in Asia was spurred by core markets like China, up 40% year-on-year and standing in contrast to the rest of the industry, where the market dragged on quarterly results.
    — Ella Graveney, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of standing in
Verb
  • The scene gives us little, just Porsha telling NeNe the itinerary, showing her some clothes, and then moving right along.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Video of the incident that went viral online shows students telling a man authorities say is Morgan to get out of an Athens bar.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • As of the publishing of this review, CPU teams are allowing guys to simply smoke themselves rather than properly substituting.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the same time, these platforms aren’t substituting for traditional employment.
    — Jacob Lederman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of substituting
Verb
  • Leave her running the finance function, advising the CEO, doing the job the way it's done today.
    — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The company is advising drivers to schedule gate appointments during off-peak windows.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of advising
Verb
  • Now, the Gates Foundation is stepping in to help fund scientific research through an historic $540 million gift to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent research organization at the University of Washington.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Even when the play returns to the familiar rhythm of Shaw provoking Dreyfuss and Scheider stepping in to restore peace, the performances keep the interactions engaging.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Definition of stepping in
Verb
  • Nesta has defended the staffing budget as a matter of catching up on the city’s needs after leaving positions vacant for too long and shifting those responsibilities to existing employees.
    — Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The data appear to show Miller’s troubles catching up to him.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of catching up
Verb
  • Geer worked regularly in regional theater for decades before taking over the role of Zeb from Edgar Bergen, who originated the role in The Homecoming.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Shapiro has been named the next Richard Rodgers dean and director of the drama division at the prestigious school, taking over starting in July 2027.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of taking over

Browse Nearby Words

filling
filling in
filling (out)
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Cite this Entry

“Filling in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling%20in. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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