1
as in visiting
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 standing in
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 stepping in
More parents today are stepping in, or thinking about helping their kids secure keys to a home.
—
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 May 2026
With David ultimately stepping in as director, his family saw it through.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
As travelers across the country look for low-cost flights following the shuttering of Spirit Airlines, one airline is stepping in to fill the void in the Pittsburgh area.
—Patrick Damp, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Tell me about Cineverse stepping in to re-release Pan’s Labyrinth.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The sector boomed in the years after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, with private credit funds and other alternative investment vehicles stepping in to fill the lending gap created by the withdrawal of investment banks from riskier parts of the debt market.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Jonathan Groff was the original star of a production that had many top-tier talents stepping in at different phases of the production’s elaborate run.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Robertson grounds both versions of Niall in a sad-eyed misery, with Bell stepping in and giving the character grace notes of humor that don’t always seem to fit the story.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Anthony Volpe Suffered a Shoulder Injury Volpe was missing from the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in March 2026, with José Caballero stepping in as the starting shortstop.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Jake Angelo, Fortune, 27 May 2026
With David ultimately stepping in as director, his family saw it through.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
As travelers across the country look for low-cost flights following the shuttering of Spirit Airlines, one airline is stepping in to fill the void in the Pittsburgh area.
—Patrick Damp, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Tell me about Cineverse stepping in to re-release Pan’s Labyrinth.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The sector boomed in the years after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, with private credit funds and other alternative investment vehicles stepping in to fill the lending gap created by the withdrawal of investment banks from riskier parts of the debt market.
—Hugh Leask, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Jonathan Groff was the original star of a production that had many top-tier talents stepping in at different phases of the production’s elaborate run.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Robertson grounds both versions of Niall in a sad-eyed misery, with Bell stepping in and giving the character grace notes of humor that don’t always seem to fit the story.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Anthony Volpe Suffered a Shoulder Injury Volpe was missing from the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in March 2026, with José Caballero stepping in as the starting shortstop.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
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Spend time walking around, snapping photos, or visiting the small interactive museum, ZOOOM, where a short 3D film flies viewers over the mountain range; admission is included in the ticket price.—
Lauren David,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Local baseball legend Derrek Lee attested that, after visiting all 30 big-league cities, West Sacramento deserves to be among them.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Derek Shelton sat on the bench in the visitor’s dugout at PNC Park hours before Friday’s game and was greeted by a horde of local reporters standing in a semi-circle around him ready to take him down memory lane.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
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With no Alcaraz and Sinner standing in his way, this was a real chance for the veteran to take the sole lead of top spot on the list of most singles’ grand slam titles, ending his tie with Margaret Court.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The amounts are so small that adding or substituting Himalayan salt for regular salt will have no nutritional impact.—
Sheah Rarback,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The problem of companies substituting hemp for marijuana dates to 2018, when Congress legalized hemp, a close cousin of marijuana that has only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that makes people high.—
Christopher Osher,
ProPublica,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Parents are starting meal planning with the protein component first, then filling in the rest of the plate around it.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
4 June 2026
-
Most obviously, with free-agent addition Alijah Vera-Tucker still sitting out after missing last season with a torn triceps, Andrew Rupcich was filling in at left guard.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Haaland, by contrast, is running in a blue state and has a strong shot at her state's governorship.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
McBath had considered running in the crowded Democratic race for governor, but suspended her exploratory bid last year, pointing to her need to focus on her husband's health after complications from a recent cancer surgery.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Verb
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That move was bigger than a warehouse transaction, with Stord taking over Quiet’s former customer base and many employees moving over to the fulfillment provider.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
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The play transferred to Broadway’s Booth Theatre that year, with Lavin replaced by Judith Light and Rachel Griffiths taking over for Marvel.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Hill was known for his blocking prowess, coming over from the Dolphins.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
1 June 2026
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The 28-year-old Imai is in his first big-league season after coming over from Japan.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Williams pops off Williams scored 10 early points, knocking down a few 3-pointers and dropping in a layup to get the crowd going, and then canning a smooth midrange shot to get up to double figures within five minutes.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
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Why aren't prices dropping in response?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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