stepping in

present participle of step in
1
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stepping in While stepping in as press secretary, Vance responded to a question from the Washington Examiner about 2028 hopefuls, such as Cruz and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, by telling Republicans to focus on the midterm elections. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2026 Whenever either of them is absent, Estevao is very capable of stepping in. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Now, the Gates Foundation is stepping in to help fund scientific research through an historic $540 million gift to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent research organization at the University of Washington. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 Even when the play returns to the familiar rhythm of Shaw provoking Dreyfuss and Scheider stepping in to restore peace, the performances keep the interactions engaging. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 As Bay Area art schools flounder under financial strain, Silicon Valley is increasingly stepping in as an influential force in the region’s cultural landscape. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 July 2026 Jobs are shifting from operating software to managing a hybrid workforce of humans and agents—setting goals, validating outputs, and stepping in when judgment is required. — Girija Krishnamurthy, Forbes.com, 22 July 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
  • At the Old Bailey Gallery, curator Dan Bailey hosts visiting artists to build the city's relationship with outside talent, while Studio by the Tracks has forged a grassroots space for artists with autism.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Lehmann was reminded of the conversation after visiting Vicuña’s solo show at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) last November.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An American citizen was among the dead, prompting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make a statement standing in solidarity with Saudi Arabia.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Long decided to show Carl standing in a spotlight, wearing white boxers with red hearts, shielding Princess Donut.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Sand stands as a stark contrast to other Democrats running in solidly blue states, such as Michigan Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed, who have embraced talking points from the Democratic Socialists of America.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rick Jackson, a billionaire healthcare executive running in Georgia, has repeatedly attacked Democratic opponent Keisha Lance Bottoms over her tenure as Atlanta mayor.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That difference means substituting one for the other can change a dish’s character considerably.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The work demonstrates a way to combine a renewable waste material with nanoscale reinforcement rather than simply substituting one material for another.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The two teams have played each other just 15 times, with three matches coming over the past six seasons.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Luc de Fougerolles and Juan Manuel Sanabria had assists on Lobjanidze's fifth goal this season and his third in 13 appearances with Real Salt Lake since coming over from Atlanta United.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • On Saturday, freshman Vlad Dyakonov took center stage filling in for the injured Paige.
    — Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Kansas Athletics on Tuesday released tip times and television networks for the 2026-27 men’s basketball schedule, filling in details missing when the slate was announced weeks ago.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • There are some who plan to partake in all three days, others who will be dropping in for one night only.
    — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The 36-year-old Hubble is also dropping in orbit because of all the sun's recent outbursts and is expected to reenter the atmosphere in the 2030s if nothing is done.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Paramount is taking over the Bay Theater, the long-shuttered cinema at Palisades Village formerly leased by Netflix, adding to a wave of revivals of dormant movie theaters across Los Angeles.
    — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Along with first-run movies and classics, the Bay will host special screenings and immersive theatrical experiences, said Paramount, which is taking over the theater formerly operated by Netflix and Cinepolis before that.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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