stepped in

past tense of step in
1
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

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 stepped in Sporting Wichita Academy said the tragedy had shaken a soccer community built around families and teammates, thanking first responders, medical workers and bystanders who stepped in to help. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Niki Zucca, president of the Central Elementary PTO, noted her school has a high rate of poverty but Jose stepped in to help. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 Joshua Garcia, the backup sophomore quarterback who has stepped in for the injured Ahmir Thompson, was in awe of Castillo’s running style. — David Dekunder, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026 Online sellers, street vendors and WhatsApp and Telegram groups have also stepped in to fill gaps left by state pharmacies, which for decades were the main source of subsidized medicines. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 His oldest sister stepped in, made his meals and went to school and doctor appointments with him. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Kam Moore stepped in at linebacker for Robert Stephens III, who went down with a lower leg injury in the first half. — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026 Backup quarterback Zach Marker stepped in to finish the second half. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 Even when right tackle Drew Terrill went out early in the Cougars’ Saturday win over Oregon State, Ronnell McLain stepped in and performed well. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
  • Separately, Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Levine, and Yair Golan, a former general and leader of the opposition Democrats party, visited.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The secretary general of the nine-member electoral council, Nemrod Sanon visited North Miami this week and defended the changes to the electoral framework.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Mugrabi has disputed that the lien was ever valid, claiming that the Basquiat was pledged as collateral in an October 2023 term sheet, but was substituted with the 1964 Andy Warhol work Jackie the following month.
    — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Greenwood was then substituted, leaving the pitch without a shirt on.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Bangladesh almost achieved that in recent years, but coverage dropped in 2025.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Kyler Murray then dropped in the pocket and boldly threw to the back left corner of the end zone.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The scenes unfolded the same day that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in another part of Hebron, wearing a military-style vest, and vowed to intensify operations across the occupied West Bank.
    — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
  • In a statement posted on X, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stood in front of a bulldozer near the site of the shootout and promised Israel would tear down Palestinian buildings constructed without permits in the area.
    — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Nvidia’s share of data center chips in China fell to 34% in the first half of 2026, while shipments of its AI accelerators dropped by 44% compared to a year earlier, according to IDC data cited by Reuters.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Since the accusations against Busfield went public, he was dropped by talent agency Innovative Artists.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the longer term, the generic industry — which represents most prescriptions filled in the United States — will continue pushing for an overhaul of the patent system brand-name drugmakers use to maintain exclusivity over their products.
    — Megan R. Wilson, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Hossein Amini did another draft and Watkins filled in to direct.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Ya Lily’s content ran in nearly 109,541 Temu ad campaigns in that period, the data show.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • DeLuca then chopped a ball softly to the left side that shortstop Xander Bogaerts ran in to grab.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The club has consistently overachieved in recent seasons despite modest resources, first under coach Christian Streich, now under his former captain Julian Schuster, who took over from the veteran in 2024.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Williams took over in the second quarter, scoring all 16 of her first-half points in that period.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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