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
South Korea, too, is stepping in to fill the gap in Western inventories.
—
Chris Oberoi,
Fortune,
24 June 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
Tell me about Cineverse stepping in to re-release Pan’s Labyrinth.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
The sector boomed in the years after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, with private credit funds and other alternative investment vehicles stepping in to fill the lending gap created by the withdrawal of investment banks from riskier parts of the debt market.
—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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
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
Chris Oberoi,
Fortune,
24 June 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
Tell me about Cineverse stepping in to re-release Pan’s Labyrinth.
—
Anthony D'alessandro,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
The sector boomed in the years after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, with private credit funds and other alternative investment vehicles stepping in to fill the lending gap created by the withdrawal of investment banks from riskier parts of the debt market.
—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
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But in a 5-1 win at Truist Park, the visiting Cardinals made two errors.
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While lucha libre is already a popular attraction among tourists visiting Mexico, the arrival of the world’s biggest soccer event has seen masks and impromptu fights spill out from the ring.
Verb
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The abrupt dismantling of USAID has already harmed both vulnerable communities and America’s standing in Africa.
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Cost per wear does the same job for clothing, with one wear standing in for the ounce.
Verb
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Two years later, Gates was running in his first of — so far — 49 Peachtree Road Races.
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In practice, that often means multiple governance systems running in parallel, with the same model subject to different thresholds for risk, access and compliance depending on where it’s deployed.
Verb
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Run an empty load with hot water, substituting white vinegar for detergent.
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In the present day, when artificial intelligence is taking over much translation work, this 500-year-old conflict reminds us that translation is never a simple matter of substituting one word for another.
Verb
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Dach was successful in tandem with veteran Trent Frederic after coming over in a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Here's everything coming over the next seven days.
Verb
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Iqnatural Jamaican Black Castor Oil, my go-to for filling in my thinning edges, is on sale for $10 during Amazon Prime Day.
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Juicy blueberries burst during baking, melding with the fresh peach juices for a gorgeous, saucy filling in this pie.
Verb
-
While the world’s oceans have generally been heating up, one patch of the Atlantic located south of Greenland has been dropping in temperature.
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And then, her par putt on 18 – measured at 2 feet, 10 inches – spun tantalizingly around the rim of the cup before dropping in and ending the suspense.
Verb
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So, what happens when strong personalities inside the family start taking over the steering, with the other members left in the back seat?
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Lynne Fitzpatrick is taking over as CEO of the derivatives exchange CME, making her one of the top women in finance.
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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