FILLING IN Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

filling in

verb

present participle of fill in

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

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 Today, when leaders are rarely seen or heard, more people are filling in silence with assumptions and absence can quickly be interpreted as avoidance. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 For this week’s Infinite Scroll column, Brady Brickner-Wood is filling in for Kyle Chayka. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026 Iqnatural Jamaican Black Castor Oil, my go-to for filling in my thinning edges, is on sale for $10 during Amazon Prime Day. — Jailynn Taylor, InStyle, 25 June 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 Parents are starting meal planning with the protein component first, then filling in the rest of the plate around it. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026 Most obviously, with free-agent addition Alijah Vera-Tucker still sitting out after missing last season with a torn triceps, Andrew Rupcich was filling in at left guard. — Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026 Garret Wallow and Jalen Graham took turns filling in for Warner at middle linebacker while second-year player Nick Martin manned the weakside spot. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 29 May 2026 Both were postseason depth additions, and Petry played three games filling in for Bogosian. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling in

Verb

Brands gain a deeper understanding of their customers, validating strategies and informing product development.

— Angela Chan-Danisi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
In the finale, Cal receives a call from Ben's attorney, informing him that a doctor has come forward and is willing to testify that Ben had permission to take Tracy out of the hospital.

— Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

Teenagers are finding the game on TikTok, ordering a footbag online, then going outside and standing in a circle with their friends.

— Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
The video showed Robinson standing in a room at the Washington County Sheriff’s Office wearing a T-shirt and baseball cap.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of standing in

Verb

Few would dispute that on average or even at the median, males may be bigger and more powerful than females, or that in certain contact sports the difference may be telling and on occasion dangerous.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Harry's team had a different version of events, however, telling the BBC that the offer was withdrawn by the palace after it had already been accepted by the duke, further fueling the confusion.

— Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of telling

Verb

In the early days of the republic, there were many radicals and reformers who shared my suspicion that patriotism was an evasion, substituting songs and speeches about liberty for the reality.

— Dominic Erdozain, Time, 3 July 2026
Run an empty load with hot water, substituting white vinegar for detergent.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026

Definition of substituting

Verb

Of the non-interest revenues, Canadian banks also made money from underwriting and advising deals from large businesses and wealth management fees, both of which are highly profitable if the stock market is performing well overall.

— Charlotte Hu, Time, 9 July 2026
By late May, Vice was advising readers where to find hacky sacks because stores had been wiped out.

— Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of advising

Verb

Davis native Erin Clancey has been announced as the museum’s new executive director, taking over the role in September.

— Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado July 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026
Luxury fashion houses no longer limit themselves to boutiques, taking over hotels and beach clubs to create immersive destinations where hospitality, fashion and leisure merge seamlessly.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of taking over

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filling in

filling (out)

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“Filling in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling%20in. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of filling in

verb

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