stepped in

verb

past tense of step in
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

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 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 After Maduro was removed, Rodríguez, who was his vice president, stepped in as interim leader, and was given a six-month mandate by the nation’s supreme court. — ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026 As leading insurers have retreated from California, one carrier has stepped in to fill the gap. — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 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 Svorobic and dozens of others stepped in to help their neighbors and add more protection to their homes. — Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 The Huskies tacked on another touchdown when Wyatt Hatfield stepped in front of a Lowery pass and returned his interception 36 yards for a touchdown to provide the final margin. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2026 Train frontman Pat Monahan stepped in to help before Bon Jovi made the decision to end the show. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
  1. visited
  2. substituted
  3. dropped in
  4. stood in
  5. dropped by
  6. filled in
  7. ran in
  8. took over
Verb
  • The second-year tight end also visited the blue medical tent on the sideline Sunday after a 19-yard catch-and-run in which he got collided hard with a Browns defensive back.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Our photographers also visited park openings in Davis and Sacramento, and travelled to the remote Placer County community of Iowa Hill after a sheriff’s deputies engaged in a two-hour shootout with a man who killed a woman in a home nearby.
    — Nathaniel Levine, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of visited
Verb
  • Ronaldo started that game but was substituted in the 67th minute.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ronaldo started in Portugal's 1-0 win over Wales last Thursday and was substituted in the 67th minute.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of substituted
Verb
  • Jansen's blooper dropped in for an RBI single, and a throwing error by left fielder Alan Roden allowed Jansen to reach second.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Spending on salon and mobile grooming dropped in 2025 as more people picked up the routine tasks themselves.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dropped in
Verb
  • On Tuesday, after returning from meetings in the United Arab Emirates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in front of an F-15 fighter jet and made a video warning that there might soon be an attack against Israel.
    — Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This week, the department was told money allocated years ago for renovations at Kadema Hall — named after a Native American village that once stood in its place — was being pulled.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of stood in
Verb
  • By comparison, just 9% of homeowners nationwide who changed insurers over the last five years said they were dropped by their insurer, according to a 2025 Consumer Reports survey.
    — Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Petitioners’ odds of winning or reaching a settlement dropped by 48 percentage points if their cases required a formal trial rather than a judge ruling based on filings and oral arguments.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of dropped by
Verb
  • An only child in a home filled in equal parts by silence and books, Laura was grateful for a friend.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Over the years, several high-profile fests struggled to stay afloat with consistently strong slates, and dozens of niche festivals filled in the gaps to serve the city’s diverse filmgoers.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of filled in
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
Definition of ran in
Verb
  • The Tigers slowly took over after the first quarter, limiting the Bulldogs to a field goal until the fourth quarter.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Strong took over the role of Zuckerberg from Jesse Eisenberg, who played the billionaire in the 2010 Oscar-winning film The Social Network.
    — Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of took over

Browse Nearby Words

stepped down (from)
stepped in
stepped into
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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