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 Is Barron capable of filling in if Patrick Surtain II or Moss miss time, which has happened each of the last two seasons? — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 The comedian, who is filling in for vacationing host Jimmy Kimmel, reflected back on her stint from 1996-2002 on her own talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, in her first monologue of the week. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 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
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
  • His wife later reportedly received a letter from World Vision informing her that his donation helped restore the vision of two people.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Manson’s death was met with strong reactions from the family members of his victims, who were contacted by prison officials informing them of the mass murderer’s passing.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest homes still standing in Roseville.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Becoming the best program in the Sun Conference is the hurdle still standing in front of the Bobcats.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of standing in
Verb
  • Florian Maurice, the former Rennes technical director, is telling a story about Jeremy Jacquet and how the Frenchman was destined for the top.
    — Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Or, at least, for the first time since the start of the war, some analysts on Wall Street might at least be willing to consider that the administration may be telling the truth about the state of the oil market.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • Start by substituting the x- and y-coordinates of the two points into the equation describing the line to get two new equations.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Say, the need for even clearer descriptions for how long to mix pie dough; or indicating where ingredient swaps are possible, like substituting collard greens for kale in braised greens.
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of substituting
Verb
  • The councilmember then called out Bass for working with a communications consultant who was simultaneously advising her and Lineage, the company whose warehouse burned in Boyle Heights in June.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Crossing guards are advising students on e-bikes who were unaware of the new rule to check in at the office.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 18 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
  • Many believe that the dynamic duo taking over the reins have the energy and training to take the company into the future.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of taking over

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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 22 Aug. 2026.

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