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
After the handball in the box on Czechia's Pavel Sulc, Teboho Mokoena stepped in for a penalty, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and buried a shot into the left side of the net to make this a 1-1 match with under 10 minutes to go.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Gilmore, who stepped in as chief investment officer in the summer of 2024, directs a staff of more than 300 while facing scrutiny from politicians, union leaders, environmentalists, taxpayer groups and the media.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
That’s when Eddie Ritchie stepped in and delivered.
—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Chris Woodward moved from first to third base and Pedro Montero stepped in to coach first base on Tuesday.
—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
The team was established as the Orlando Miracle in 1999 as a sister team to the NBA’s Orlando Magic, but Magic owner Rich DeVos had no interest in keeping the WNBA franchise and likely would have folded the organization had the Tribe not stepped in.
—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Police say Davis waved a gun at the child before Wakefield stepped in front of his son to protect him.
—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Milner stepped in, helping complete paperwork, coordinating care and involving family members.
—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Savannah Guthrie has been in the seat since 2012 and reported alongside Hoda Kotb for seven years before Craig Melvin stepped in following Kotb’s departure in 2025.
—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Gilmore, who stepped in as chief investment officer in the summer of 2024, directs a staff of more than 300 while facing scrutiny from politicians, union leaders, environmentalists, taxpayer groups and the media.
—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 June 2026
That’s when Eddie Ritchie stepped in and delivered.
—
Jack Murray,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Chris Woodward moved from first to third base and Pedro Montero stepped in to coach first base on Tuesday.
—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
3 June 2026
The team was established as the Orlando Miracle in 1999 as a sister team to the NBA’s Orlando Magic, but Magic owner Rich DeVos had no interest in keeping the WNBA franchise and likely would have folded the organization had the Tribe not stepped in.
—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
Police say Davis waved a gun at the child before Wakefield stepped in front of his son to protect him.
—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Milner stepped in, helping complete paperwork, coordinating care and involving family members.
—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Savannah Guthrie has been in the seat since 2012 and reported alongside Hoda Kotb for seven years before Craig Melvin stepped in following Kotb’s departure in 2025.
—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
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The state is alleging its inspectors visited Ashlynn Marketing Group’s facility in Santee in May 2025 and found kratom powders, capsules, liquids and chewable tablets being manufactured and held for sale.
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Sources tell The Sacramento Bee that Houston point guard Kingston Flemings has also visited Sacramento in the past 10 days or so, as first reported by NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Verb
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Raphina signaled for Brazil's medical team to take a look at him at the 39-minute-mark and was substituted off in favor of Rayan quickly.
-
Captain Luka Modric, now 40, was substituted before the hour mark and has less influence on games these days.
Verb
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Markets dropped in response, but only temporarily.
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And Steyer’s spending spree was nowhere near the $1 billion that Michael Bloomberg dropped in just 104 days on his 2020 campaign for president.
Verb
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Though the crisis was averted, Wednesday’s competition stood in stark contrast to the 2024 Olympic and 2023 world medal-winning performances.
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Families broken Noemi, a Guatemalan mother and asylum seeker, stood in the parking lot at an ICE office north of Los Angeles, her three children wailing and clinging to her, glass from the family's car scattered at their feet.
Verb
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The movie, which stars Andrew Garfield as the OpenAI boss, was abruptly dropped by AmazonMGM despite being nearly finished.
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As of Monday, June 22, gas prices dropped by double digits across Florida from the same time last week.
Verb
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The sign at the front of the stadium remained a little underwhelming, with the word Lumen blacked out but no replacement filled in.
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Scotland's Tartan Army supporters were out in mass, creating a wave of red inside a filled in Gillette Stadium, located about 30 miles outside Boston.
Verb
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The two sides ran in slates aligned against one another.
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Ken’s parents also influenced how rinks were ran in the area, the two said.
Verb
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Matt Chapman signed his extension before Posey took over, but his first big move was bringing in free-agent shortstop Willy Adames.
-
Cordero's stone took over a year.
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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