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
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
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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How to Watch Grizzlies vs Warriors Rookie Cedric Coward scored 22 of his game-high 27 points in the second half as Memphis pulled away from the visiting Indiana Pacers on Saturday night for a 128-103 blowout victory.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
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As kobolds go, Heinzelmann was more harmless than most, going about his business protecting the castle from giants and dwarves and keeping the staff updated on faerie gossip, as well as protecting the chambermaids from unwelcome attentions from visiting noblemen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The moment, captured from inside the house through a window, shows the unsuspecting laborers standing in the trench as the canine drops the toy directly into their workspace.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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The video shows the moment little Kyngsley Porras opened the door of his room to reveal Elijah, his best friend standing in front of him.—
Kendall Malinchock,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Maduro is widely believed to have lost the 2024 presidential election to rival Edmundo González, a candidate substituting Machado, yet still claimed victory.—
David Smilde,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
-
William wrote Temple out of his will, substituting his granddaughter.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Hi, Beatrice Nolan here, filling in for AI reporter Sharon Goldman, who is out today.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
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During the suspension, Bode led 42 in helping the firefighters filling in for them in a mill fire.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Carrillo presented a rough schedule for how Franklin could get the market up and running in 2026.—
Erik S. Hanley,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, two other high-profile Republicans running in the race have raised six-figure numbers — far surpassing the 2023 gubernatorial candidate.—
Hannah Pinski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Why some troops can't just get fitter Pete Hegseth has made fitness standards a major focus since taking over the Department of War, formerly known as the Department of Defense.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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Mills was honored for her performance as Heather Webber on General Hospital, a role she's played since 1980 after taking over for Robin Mattson.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Henderson follows with 146 yards with a touchdown, with 107 of his yards coming over the past two weeks.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Oct. 2025
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The victims are coming over here from China.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
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 Oct. 2025.
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