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
The Budapest Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday asked the courts to level a fine against Karacsony for stepping in to co-organize the event under the auspices of the capital municipality, according a statement published on Wednesday.
—
Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
According to Ann Louise Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, a licensed pediatric psychologist, stepping in too quickly when your kids face a challenge can unintentionally backfire.
—Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Leaders from the Cook County Health, the State of Illinois, and charitable food systems are stepping in, Preckwinkle said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The singer also missed one episode of The Voice in August after her ex-husband's death, with fellow American Idol vet Jennifer Hudson stepping in as a temporary coach for season 29.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
As seasoned workers retire, the next generation is not stepping in fast enough to replace them.
—Mark Rayfield, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Trotter’s wife, Tanya, echoes her husband’s enthusiasm and is even looking forward to stepping in the ring for some physicality, if needed.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2025
With New Mexico’s cannabis market at a crossroads, a new association is stepping in to rally businesses, push reforms, and help guide the industry’s future.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But others did not blame the mother alone, instead criticizing the husband and even the child's aunt and grandparents for not stepping in.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
According to Ann Louise Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, a licensed pediatric psychologist, stepping in too quickly when your kids face a challenge can unintentionally backfire.
—Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026
Leaders from the Cook County Health, the State of Illinois, and charitable food systems are stepping in, Preckwinkle said.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The singer also missed one episode of The Voice in August after her ex-husband's death, with fellow American Idol vet Jennifer Hudson stepping in as a temporary coach for season 29.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
As seasoned workers retire, the next generation is not stepping in fast enough to replace them.
—Mark Rayfield, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Trotter’s wife, Tanya, echoes her husband’s enthusiasm and is even looking forward to stepping in the ring for some physicality, if needed.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2025
With New Mexico’s cannabis market at a crossroads, a new association is stepping in to rally businesses, push reforms, and help guide the industry’s future.
—Benjamin Adams, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
But others did not blame the mother alone, instead criticizing the husband and even the child's aunt and grandparents for not stepping in.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
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Scott Bell, the secretary of the Happy Valley Community Association on K’gari, has been visiting the island on and off since the 1960s, and understands its appeal.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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Germans, Britons And Americans Dominate Cruise passengers visiting Norway continue to come overwhelmingly from a handful of key markets.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But Hana’s obsession with her body is standing in the way of more than just feeling good at the gym.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
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And in the middle of those choices are real people — standing in the cold, waiting for a bus.—
Zeynep Portway,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Williams was the only starter to play more than 25 minutes as the Aztecs began substituting liberally after just 11 minutes, jumping out to a 32-12 lead thanks to an 18-0 run.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
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Many online have gone on to add fresh fruits and honey to their creations, as well as substituting Biscoff cookies for other options like graham crackers, cookies and even Oreos.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Miami Dolphins’ new general manager-head coach tandem is in place, and on Friday night, Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley got started on filling in positions around them.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
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That’s when Wolves assistant coach Micah Nori, who was filling in for an ill Chris Finch, turned to an unlikely defensive stopper.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Al-Maliki’s government increasingly excluded Sunni Arabs from political life, including barring nine parties and over 450 candidates from running in the 2010 parliamentary elections, overseeing the arrests of prominent Sunni politicians by security forces, and suppressing peaceful protests.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
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Power On Demand Sennheiser says the RS 275 kit can be up and running in a matter of minutes and the settings can be personalized using the Sennheiser’s free Smart Control Plus app, which is available for Android and iOS devices.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Belichick also was one of the game's top defensive assistants before taking over in New England, winning two earlier Super Bowls as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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First, there’s La Réserve Firenze, which is taking over a 15th-century palace in the city’s ever-buzzy Oltrarno district, just a few minutes’ walk from the centre, but mercifully removed from the high summer tourist scrum.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Smith, 41, is coming over from holding the same assistant GM role with the Atlanta Falcons the past three seasons.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
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My grandmother is angry at her friends for not coming over.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When playing within their own half, United adjust into a 5-4-1 with the No 10s dropping in to better protect central midfield.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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But this year Swift has a new album dropping in just a few weeks.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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