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
A number of states have stepped in to cover the gap, or to provide additional money to food banks; Texas, which has a multibillion-dollar rainy-day fund, has done neither.
—
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
And Sam stepped in there and made a good throw.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
But on the first play of the series, Virginia’s Kam Robinson stepped in front of a Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass and returned it to the house.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
During a 2020 interview with DJ VLAD, Mack 10 rehashed the near-altercation with Common and reiterated that Fat Joe stepped in to smooth things over.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
One group, the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL), stepped in to take the feline family.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Then Buffett stepped in to purchase about $5 billion of the company’s stock.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Vocal powerhouse and violinist Natalie Stovall stepped in for the duet and nailed a 12-second high note.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
That’s when the local fire department stepped in to spread the word.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2025
And Sam stepped in there and made a good throw.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
But on the first play of the series, Virginia’s Kam Robinson stepped in front of a Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass and returned it to the house.
—Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
During a 2020 interview with DJ VLAD, Mack 10 rehashed the near-altercation with Common and reiterated that Fat Joe stepped in to smooth things over.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
One group, the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL), stepped in to take the feline family.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Then Buffett stepped in to purchase about $5 billion of the company’s stock.
—Steve Booren, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Vocal powerhouse and violinist Natalie Stovall stepped in for the duet and nailed a 12-second high note.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
That’s when the local fire department stepped in to spread the word.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
With a modest collection that heavily features Napa and Bordeaux, Babbitt visited the latter region this past August and made Château D’Issan his first stop.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Appreciated by locals and visited by celebs like Elsa Pataky, Chris Hemsworth, and Matt Damon, this luxury farmhouse in Getaria is an idyllic base set among the owners' txakoli vineyards.—
Michelle Arellano Martin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
He was substituted by Dyche at half-time.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Practically any recipe that requires mustard can be substituted with this for a more unique interpretation of a timeless classic.—
Joey Skladany,
Southern Living,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The guest of honor Sunday was Scott, who stood in the road across Kavanaugh to serve as the event's honorary judge.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Phillips stood in the background as Jena-Lisa Jones detailed how Epstein pressured her to bring high school girls to his house.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Virginia native’s last studio album, Black Messiah, dropped in 2014 and received widespread acclaim.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Williams had 16 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Prophet Johnson dropped in 16 to go with five assists.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The opening, filled in just 22 days, became one of the most coveted jobs in Texas high school football.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Once the results are certified and she is sworn in, Democrats will outnumber Republicans in the House, 101 to 49, with one vacancy to be filled in a special election next week in the 139th District of Ledyard, Montville and Norwich.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
We were stuck in Egypt on a medical trip when Hamas took over Gaza and Israel shut down all the enclave’s borders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Keller recovered and took over only 53 yards away from the end zone.—
Cody Thorn,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Those charges were later dropped by the state’s attorney’s office.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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Other comments claimed that Bressington had been charged by authorities and dropped by a record label.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Harrison, who in 2020 ran in the Democratic primary for her Nebraska congressional district, sees an immediate impact on her business and the broader economy.—
Caitlyn Reilly,
Fortune,
11 Nov. 2025
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The show, which ran in two six-part series, in 1975 and 1979, was a huge hit in Britain and went on to become a cult classic in the United States.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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