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
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
Body camera video shows Padilla immediately stepping in to help.
—Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 25 Mar. 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
The stock successfully bounced off the $45 level, suggesting buyers are stepping in following the recent sell-off.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Clearly, American is happy that the FAA is stepping in to intervene.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
April was stepping in for CJ Robbins, who was promoted to Minnesota’s defensive line coach.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 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
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
Body camera video shows Padilla immediately stepping in to help.
—Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 25 Mar. 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
The stock successfully bounced off the $45 level, suggesting buyers are stepping in following the recent sell-off.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Clearly, American is happy that the FAA is stepping in to intervene.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
April was stepping in for CJ Robbins, who was promoted to Minnesota’s defensive line coach.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
-
After a brief check from Boone and a trainer, Stanton left the field and headed straight for the visiting clubhouse at Daikin Park.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Late in the first half, the senior midfielder ripped in a free kick from 35 yards to help visiting Providence earn a 1-1 tie against crosstown rival Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And there’s nothing like the disorienting effect of standing in darkness in an unfamiliar place to quicken the senses and sharpen the ear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Such an agreement would require battling — and even dismantling — an entrenched and incompetent bureaucracy to speed up economic reforms, and getting rid of old-school historic commanders and everyone else in the government, the Communist Party and the top military echelons standing in the way.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The resort implements its sustainability commitment in ways beyond just substituting plastic water bottles (with reusable ones made of sugarcane waste) and harvesting rainwater to flush toilets.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Consider introducing a habit of drinking plain water early, sticking to it, and avoiding substituting it with beverages that have added sugars.—
Joy Emeh,
Health,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Saturday, conditions look mainly dry to start, with rain filling in by the afternoon hours.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
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The whole neighborhood is compact and walkable, with patios, cafés, and seasonal events like Yorkville Murals filling in the gaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Four Republicans are also running in Tuesday's primary, but a Republican hasn't won in the district since 2010.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Miller, who has held the seat since 2018, chose not to seek reelection in favor of running in the crowded 2nd Congressional District race.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Denver Mountain Parks will staff the welcome station at Echo Lake and manage the Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area, taking over that role from the Arapaho National Forest.—
John Meyer,
Denver Post,
14 Apr. 2026
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Almost a year to the day, in another surprise move, Malone is taking over a blueblood program with six national titles, a record 21 appearances in the Final Four and alums including Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Vince Carter and Atlantic Coast Conference career scoring leader Tyler Hansbrough.—
Aaron Beard,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He will be joined by another former Spartan, with Melvin Strahl, a 6-foot-3 Swede who will be a sophomore eligibility-wise, reportedly coming over from East Lansing.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
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In Hillsborough, kids were coming over the back fence all the time.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Home values are dropping in some markets One big factor to note before tapping your equity right now is that home values are falling in many areas.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Reports of passenger assaults began dropping in 2025, although not enough data has been released for last year to compute complete, comparable rates among the systems.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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