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
Across Philadelphia, residents say progress is happening in different ways — sometimes through city crews and sometimes through neighbors stepping in to help one another.
—
Eva Andersen, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
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
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
Eva Andersen, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
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
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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China has been particularly busy, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ireland's Prime Minister Michael Martin, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Starmer all visiting Beijing this month.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Warsh has been working as a visiting economics fellow at the Hoover Institution, a conservative think tank located at Stanford University.—
Josh Boak,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rivera, who met Goldberg at a dinner with his manager five years ago, ran with the idea, placing a cast of Puerto Rican luminaries in the famous rowboat alongside Bad Bunny — who is draped in the Puerto Rican flag and standing in Washington’s place.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Heat fans who are readers of tea leaves might have been trumpeting with joy Thursday as Antetokounmpo’s mom, Veronica, posted on Facebook a photo without description of her son standing in street clothes on the Heat’s court.—
Greg Cote
January 30,
Miami Herald,
30 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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Strnad established himself as possibly the best linebacker on the Broncos’ roster in filling in for both Dre Greenlaw and Alex Singleton across the 2025 season.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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There were six Democrats and four Republicans running in their respective primaries.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
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When taking over Credit Suisse, UBS fully committed to getting the investigation back on track and has since taken extensive steps to facilitate Barofsky’s review, Karofsky said.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
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Another wrinkle is that Harbaugh faces competition for his former Ravens staffers with Monken landing in Cleveland and Jesse Minter taking over in Baltimore.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Virtually all the players, and often their caddies, make a point of coming over and shaking hands with the servicemen.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Feb. 2026
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Nick Cassidy leads the points after two races, his first two with Citroen Racing after coming over from Jaguar TCS Racing.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
31 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 6 Feb. 2026.
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