1
as in to visit
to make a brief visit
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of step in
Extending our work with Tubi into a dedicated horror initiative feels like the natural next step in our partnership.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Charassein is to make a recognizable visual signifier, which was for Kirby and other Marvel creators the first step in realizing a new character, before any narrative was worked out.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Her 23-year-old boyfriend tried to step in.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Maura Higgins shouted at Rapaport at the end of his meltdown, while host Andy Cohen even stepped in to curb the actor's major scene.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step in
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Charassein is to make a recognizable visual signifier, which was for Kirby and other Marvel creators the first step in realizing a new character, before any narrative was worked out.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Her 23-year-old boyfriend tried to step in.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
Maura Higgins shouted at Rapaport at the end of his meltdown, while host Andy Cohen even stepped in to curb the actor's major scene.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step in
Verb
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They're honored and grateful to be invited and any opportunity to visit the White House as a team will be based on their schedules once their seasons conclude.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Jesse found out about this and came to visit.—
Rick Davis,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Prize is not transferable, and no substitution may be made, except by CBS who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize or portion of the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the CBS in its sole discretion.—
CBS News Philadelphia Staff,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Young Man in a Hurry substitutes status anxiety for race.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Melton said the decaying structures impact children walking to school, bring down property values and stand in the way of progress.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Being photographed, standing in front of crowds — aspects of the job that once rattled him — feel somehow easier now.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Often dwarfed by architecture, their distinctive bodies in space are more important than the sparse dialogue that only serves to fill in crucial gaps in storytelling.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Nelson, filling in for MacKinnon on the top line, one-timed a pass in the high slot from captain Gabriel Landeskog.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hudson December gave up no runs in five innings for El Camino Real.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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The supplements out today have an incredibly wide variety of electrolyte concentrations, said Patrick Burns, who practices emergency medicine at Stanford Health Care and occasionally runs in ultramarathons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Former Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon called it hypocritical.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
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Minutes later, wearing a blue lanyard with a solid gold medal hanging across his chest, Tkachuk called into the stands for Gaudreau’s two children to join the official team picture.—
Chris Kudialis,
Miami Herald,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20in. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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