1
as in visited
to make a brief visit
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in substituted
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 stepped in
Her father's older siblings stepped in to take care of Nichols' birth siblings, while her grandmother and another aunt were entrusted with her care.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
However, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass and looked for Jaylen Waddle when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of the pass and picked him off.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Colby stepped in for Bartch 10 snaps into the New Orleans game and finished with a clean sheet.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Then the Fed stepped in with a bold half-point rate cut to stave off further weakening.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Rubin, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, joined the band this summer after the Foos parted ways with Josh Freese, who had stepped in after the 2022 death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
The complaint states Wallace could not answer questions during an open hearing before the Joint Budget Committee and Profiri stepped in to testify.
—Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025
Earlier this month, the Missouri State Tax Commission stepped in to require the county to increase assessed property values for all homes.
—Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Steve Sarkisian was hired to be the head coach for 2014, but Helton stepped in and guided the Trojans to a 45-20 victory in the bowl game, then went back to an assistant’s role on Sarkisian’s staff.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
However, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass and looked for Jaylen Waddle when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of the pass and picked him off.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Colby stepped in for Bartch 10 snaps into the New Orleans game and finished with a clean sheet.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Then the Fed stepped in with a bold half-point rate cut to stave off further weakening.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Rubin, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, joined the band this summer after the Foos parted ways with Josh Freese, who had stepped in after the 2022 death of longtime drummer Taylor Hawkins.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
The complaint states Wallace could not answer questions during an open hearing before the Joint Budget Committee and Profiri stepped in to testify.
—Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025
Earlier this month, the Missouri State Tax Commission stepped in to require the county to increase assessed property values for all homes.
—Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Steve Sarkisian was hired to be the head coach for 2014, but Helton stepped in and guided the Trojans to a 45-20 victory in the bowl game, then went back to an assistant’s role on Sarkisian’s staff.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
Hamm visited Nichols during an earlier stage of his recovery, when Nichols was able to respond to yes-or-no questions using hand gestures.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Today, half the room stands behind glass while the other half is open, displaying various photographs of the individuals that visited Leonard and Virginia during their time at Monk’s House.—
Katie da Cunha Lewin
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When left-hander Anthony Banda entered for the eighth inning on Thursday, Melvin substituted Eldridge for Wilmer Flores.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
21 Sep. 2025
-
In February’s 2-1 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ibrahima Konate was booked in the 31st minute, but lasted until half-time, when he was substituted for Jarell Quansah.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The big right-hander stood in Toronto’s home clubhouse with a smile at the start of September.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Speakers stood in the bed of a pickup truck and shouted into a bullhorn before the Fort Worth Scottish Pipes and Drums led the march to the steps of the Tarrant County Courthouse.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
For more of the singer’s thoughts on men, fans need only listen to Man’s Best Friend, which dropped in August and debuted atop the Billboard 200.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Depression scores dropped in both groups, but more so in the active HD-tDCS group.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Wide receiver Rashee Rice, arguably their biggest threat in their passing game, has served two games of his six-game suspension, and Thornton has filled in nicely for Rice so far.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Even if the free-agent linebacker addition isn’t back from a quad injury for Week 3 AFC against the Chargers, Justin Strnad filled in more than capably in Week 1, recording five tackles and a sack against Tennessee.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As a child in Cuba, Mike Fernandez watched as his teachers were replaced with government instructors, books vanished from classroom shelves and ultimately, Communist Party officials took over his dad's tiny sandwich stand.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Overnight, an Arizona Forestry incident management team took over search and rescue efforts, said a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Meanwhile, incomes among families with children under 18 dropped by over 6%.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
-
In comments posted to Threads this morning, the longtime MCU actor, who has portrayed the comic book green giant since 2012’s The Avengers, shared a report indicating Disney’s stock had dropped by 7% following ABC’s suspension of the late-night mainstay program.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This meant that people could make simple games that ran in Shockwave.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The 28-year-old threw 23-of-34 for 316 yards and a touchdown and ran in another score, proving a perfect foil to complement Jonathan Taylor’s rushing ability, with the running back racking up 165 yards against the Broncos.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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