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 complaint states Wallace could not answer questions during an open hearing before the Joint Budget Committee and Profiri stepped in to testify.
—
Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025
Earlier this month, the Missouri State Tax Commission stepped in to require the county to increase assessed property values for all homes.
—Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Steve Sarkisian was hired to be the head coach for 2014, but Helton stepped in and guided the Trojans to a 45-20 victory in the bowl game, then went back to an assistant’s role on Sarkisian’s staff.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Her father stepped in to try to avoid his daughter being charged with a felony, according to the complaint.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Boyer's close friend and financial partner Andy Fagg stepped in with a handful of employee-operators to run Duke's until late 2023, when Patrick Kennedy purchased the restaurant.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Little baby Doe seemed destined for a life in the foster care system and perhaps adoption down the line until a judge stepped in.
—Susan Young, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Jared Wilson stepped in at left guard a week into training camp.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Penny Weaver, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2025
Earlier this month, the Missouri State Tax Commission stepped in to require the county to increase assessed property values for all homes.
—Madeline King, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
Steve Sarkisian was hired to be the head coach for 2014, but Helton stepped in and guided the Trojans to a 45-20 victory in the bowl game, then went back to an assistant’s role on Sarkisian’s staff.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025
Her father stepped in to try to avoid his daughter being charged with a felony, according to the complaint.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Boyer's close friend and financial partner Andy Fagg stepped in with a handful of employee-operators to run Duke's until late 2023, when Patrick Kennedy purchased the restaurant.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Little baby Doe seemed destined for a life in the foster care system and perhaps adoption down the line until a judge stepped in.
—Susan Young, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Jared Wilson stepped in at left guard a week into training camp.
—Oliver Thomas, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
Harry also visited his grandmother's resting place in 2023.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Fant, 27, -- who has 300 receptions, 15 TDs and 83 starts in seven seasons -- visited Miami and instantly would have become the team’s best in-his-prime tight end and wouldn’t have left the Dolphins reliant on Waller.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In addition, Levi products can easily be substituted for other brands.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
-
And down 7-0 after the Twins added on against Matsui in the seventh, the Padres substituted liberally.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Three months ago, manager John Schneider stood in the cavernous hallway outside Yankee Stadium’s road clubhouse.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Ronny stood in the doorway with a suitcase.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The statistic parallels a Council on Criminal Justice report in July showing that most categories of crime have also dropped in other cities across America.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The official trailer for The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity dropped in early June, offering fans a glimpse into the story’s tender moments.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dustin May and Payton Tolle among others have filled in starts at the back of the rotation, but another left-hander could bridge the rotation to get to October.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
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This summer, for the fifth year in a row, Jimmy Kimmel took an extended summer break during July and August, during which several celebrity guest hosts filled in for him.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Argentine head coach Sebastian Beccacece, who took over from Felix Sanchez in August 2024, has overseen a run of 10 games without a defeat — the longest unbeaten sequence in Ecuador’s history.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Ten different players caught passes from Beck, including Malachi Toney with six for 80 yards and Daniels with five for 73 yards (including the two touchdowns) before Emory Williams took over starting on Miami’s second drive of the third quarter.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its demands usually came through Coulter, the DOGE lead with the Harvard and hedge fund background, who early on dropped by Dudek’s office unannounced multiple times a week, Dudek said.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
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By Monday, some eighteen hundred students had dropped by, and the goods had largely been picked clean—Tetris’d into Ubers, hauled down subway stairs, or just stashed in reusable bags.—
Ben McGrath,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For the high-energy number, which at times resembled a block party and at other times a protest, Carpenter called on a number of drag stars.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
8 Sep. 2025
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Turkey’s best men’s marathoner in Rio was born in Kenya — once named Mike Kipruto Kigen, and now called Kaan Kigen Ozbilen — and two of their three athletes in the women’s marathon originated from Ethiopia.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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