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
The state has stepped in for reasons including fiscal mismanagement, cheating scandals and consistently failing academic performance at a campus.
—
Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
During segregation, when Black women were often denied care in hospitals, community midwives stepped in.
—Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Now, the Jacques Pepin Foundation has stepped in to save the year.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
During segregation, when Black women were often denied care in hospitals, community midwives stepped in.
—Nicky Zizaza, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Now, the Jacques Pepin Foundation has stepped in to save the year.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
María was among the locals sweeping up the ashes and trying to scrub burn marks from the streets and buildings when The Times visited Etzatlán in the days after El Mencho’s death.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Some 24% fewer Canadians visited Las Vegas overall last year.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
When those athletes are exhausted, they are substituted.—
Harriet Marsden,
TheWeek,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Ghanbari, the captain, was substituted off late in regulation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As a police truck approached and threatened to interrupt the clean-up effort, Maria stood in the street and blocked the way, hands on her hips in a pose of defiance.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
With a last chance for postseason glory at stake, his hometown team stood in the way.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The labor participation for prime-age workers is near the highest since 2001, government data published last Friday show, but that of people over 16 who were born in the US has dropped in recent months, and is near the lowest level since 2021.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Surf Gang’s previous release, with British rapper Jawnino, dropped in December.—
Alex Suskind,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And families of children with autism have reported trouble getting prescriptions filled in recent weeks.—
Matthew Perrone,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the rest of cast is pretty much filled in.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The second half was more of the same as Colorado’s physicality took over.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The sellout streak was 117 games entering the 2025-26 season, and season-ticket revenue rose 227% since Dundon took over.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The president dropped by a retreat at his Doral golf club to sell the Iran war and pump up Republican lawmakers ahead of the midterm elections.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Downforce has dropped by roughly 30 percent and drag by around 55 percent, encouraging closer racing and more overtaking.—
Brad Spurgeon,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Reed ran in junior high, then fell in love with the sport again while living in New York City, where her run club convinced her to run the New York Marathon in 2010.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The subway ran in the distance.—
Mary Gaitskill,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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