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 brothers naturally became involved uncles, offering guidance, emotional support, and quality time, while a cousin who felt more like a sister stepped in as a reliable aunt figure.
—
Halona Black, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
Jack Drury stepped in front of a Giroux pass near the blue line and fed Nichushkin all alone in front.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2026
To the crowd’s disappointment, Kastelic lost his balance before any real shots were thrown and the linesmen stepped in to end it.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
That's when Mitchell stepped in, beginning volunteer work at the school.
—Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
China had offered to build an infrastructure for Greenland, including improving the airport, until Denmark stepped in and offered airport funding.
—Steven Lamy, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Herrick stepped in to keep the prop from making it to the audience and was ultimately bounced back, landing on his back.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Halona Black, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
Jack Drury stepped in front of a Giroux pass near the blue line and fed Nichushkin all alone in front.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2026
To the crowd’s disappointment, Kastelic lost his balance before any real shots were thrown and the linesmen stepped in to end it.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
That's when Mitchell stepped in, beginning volunteer work at the school.
—Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
China had offered to build an infrastructure for Greenland, including improving the airport, until Denmark stepped in and offered airport funding.
—Steven Lamy, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026
Herrick stepped in to keep the prop from making it to the audience and was ultimately bounced back, landing on his back.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
The Princess of Wales of also visited Melin Tregwynt, a woolen mill on the Pembrokeshire coast that has been in continuous operation since 1841.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Hundreds of visitors have visited the chapel in recent days to take photos of the image, the parish priest Father Daniele Micheletti said.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Hurzeler also substituted Jan Paul van Hecke after 61 minutes of the Dutch central defender’s return from a hamstring injury which ruled him out of Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat by Crystal Palace.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
They've been substituted for equivalent store or name brands when necessary.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The message also stood in contrast to early online criticism questioning whether a Spanish-language performer should lead America's biggest entertainment stage.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The stylistic choice stood in stark contrast to other tech power players in the same exchanges, like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI chairman Bret Taylor, whose messages show more traditional attention to grammar and syntax.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Aztecs won both games amid a six-game winning streak, but attendance dropped in each of their final three home games.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Aledo thumps Colleyville Heritage, Joshua next Tiara Butler dropped in 13 points to lead Aledo to a 48-21 win over Colleyville Heritage in a Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff on Monday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Cycle 6 winner Dani Evans was heavily pressured by Banks and production to go to a dentist and get her tooth gap filled in or face elimination.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Senior guard Rashad King filled in as a starter like before.—
Matt Byrne,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hostetler took over for Phil Simms with two weeks remaining in the 1990 season, fire alarms blaring.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Jerry Mack, a former NFL assistant and head coach at North Carolina Central, took over for Brian Bohannon and things instantly looked better in a 10-9 season-opening loss at Wake Forest.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The White House has touted success in bringing down stubbornly high egg costs, which dropped by 34% from a year ago as the industry recovered from the avian flu.—
Enda Curran,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Overall, cancer death rates in people younger than 50 have dropped by 44% since 1990.—
Kaitlin Sullivan,
NBC news,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Music ran in her family’s blood.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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