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
-
Chavarria finds that visiting offices and not being afraid to share her own story is one of the best ways to learn what her employees need.—
Laura Trujillo,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Silence blanketed the visiting clubhouse when the doors opened to the media late Monday night.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to court records, police officers were standing in front of Chief's bar when a chair came flying down, crashing on the street feet from them.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
6 Oct. 2025
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However, Villa had a second attacking midfielder who was standing in a passing lane — provided Villa could pass out from the first phase of pressure.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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William wrote Temple out of his will, substituting his granddaughter.—
Stacy Schiff,
The Atlantic,
8 Oct. 2025
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Junior quarterback Leo Stalsberg — substituting for senior starter Cedric Tomes, who’s out with a broken finger — completed 2 of 10 pass attempts for 25 yards.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
With a constellation of eyes in the sky, forecasters could suddenly monitor conditions over oceans and remote landmasses, filling in major gaps in their models and providing an early warning system about potential storms forming far away.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
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Oasis did not say who would be filling in for Arthurs during the upcoming shows.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Heim worked his way back to the front of the pack in the final stage as Brent Crews, who started third and had been running in the Top Five most of the day, grabbed the late lead.—
Shane Connuck
October 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
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Also in the video, Renye said, is a member of the church congregation running in the same direction as the officers with a handgun but Renye said the member did not fire his weapon.—
Kristen Jordan Shamus,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Arizona Department of Public Safety major incident division will be taking over the investigation, Bower said.—
Julie Mendes,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Gino Wang, JSerra, QB The sophomore has led the Lions (3-2) to three consecutive wins since taking over as the starer.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Look, even if there are six people coming over, my mama’s cooking for an army.—
Sid Evans,
Southern Living,
2 Oct. 2025
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As people left their shelter in the woods, the family saw Josie coming over a hill.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The Republican president has repeatedly criticized both Washington and Chicago — Democratic bastions led by Black mayors — for out-of-control street crime, despite crime rates dropping in the two cities.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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