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
That’s when Wolves assistant coach Micah Nori, who was filling in for an ill Chris Finch, turned to an unlikely defensive stopper.
—
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
For some of the victims’ families, the interviews clarified how and why the crimes unfolded, filling in gaps that police files and court records never fully answered after years of unresolved questions.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Brady Christensen is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, while swing tackle Yosh Nijman could be looking for a starting job after filling in admirably, at times, for Taylor Moton and Ickey Ekwonu, who suffered a ruptured patellar tendon on Saturday against the Rams.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Rachaad White has been filling in for Irving at running back.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Throughout the movie, Lanthimos doles out pieces of backstory in short, dreamlike sequences that unfurl in black and white, artfully filling in the blanks of Teddy’s particular interest in Michelle.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Good morning, tech reporter Beatrice Nolan here, filling in for Allie Garfinkle.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
For some of the victims’ families, the interviews clarified how and why the crimes unfolded, filling in gaps that police files and court records never fully answered after years of unresolved questions.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Jan. 2026
Brady Christensen is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, while swing tackle Yosh Nijman could be looking for a starting job after filling in admirably, at times, for Taylor Moton and Ickey Ekwonu, who suffered a ruptured patellar tendon on Saturday against the Rams.
—Charlotte Observer, 11 Jan. 2026
Rachaad White has been filling in for Irving at running back.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Throughout the movie, Lanthimos doles out pieces of backstory in short, dreamlike sequences that unfurl in black and white, artfully filling in the blanks of Teddy’s particular interest in Michelle.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
Good morning, tech reporter Beatrice Nolan here, filling in for Allie Garfinkle.
—Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling in
Verb
-
Two days after Dallas’ season ended, the Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and HBO had footage of head coach Brian Schottenheimer informing the coaching staff that Eberflus had been let go.—
Nate Sanchez,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Jan. 2026
-
That law bars a private sector employer from even asking anyone to take such a test without first informing the person in writing at the time of the test of their right to refuse to take it.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The protesters in Los Angeles were standing in solidarity with Iranians when the vehicle-ramming attack unfolded in the Westwood neighborhood.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Jan. 2026
-
That leaves Josh Allen as arguably the best quarterback standing in the AFC.—
Jacob Camenker,
USA Today,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As doctors pressed her for information, Nicole remembered Hannah telling her about special supplement capsules that Brian placed on her nightstand every night.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
After telling his story to the ship's captain (Lars Mikkelsen), Victor is confronted by the Creature, now emerged from the sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Villalobos said the students used training guns with paintballs substituting for bullets.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Some took the trend and ran with it, substituting the actual skin care for a stick of butter.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Faber will remain with the company and executive produce both new and existing projects, along with advising on the creative and commercial strategy of the business.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Kellyanne Conway’s firm is advising Netflix, according to a person familiar with the matter.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The singer also missed one episode of The Voice in August after her ex-husband's death, with fellow American Idol vet Jennifer Hudson stepping in as a temporary coach for season 29.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
-
As seasoned workers retire, the next generation is not stepping in fast enough to replace them.—
Mark Rayfield,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sports as a kid catching up with me.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Uber will have some catching up to do in San Francisco, the city where it’s based.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Since taking over as chair of the Senate Insurance Committee in 2019, her ballot measure committee has taken at least $193,000 from industry players, including Allstate, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Personal Insurance Federation of California Agents.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Hard-throwing lefty reliever José Alvarado appeared to be taking over the full-time closer role early in the year, but in May, he got hit with an 80-game suspension for a positive performance-enhancing drug test.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Filling in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling%20in. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
