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
This season, which consists of eight episodes, sees Valentina Garza stepping in as showrunner.
—
Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 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
The Budapest Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday asked the courts to level a fine against Karacsony for stepping in to co-organize the event under the auspices of the capital municipality, according a statement published on Wednesday.
—Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 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
Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 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
The Budapest Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday asked the courts to level a fine against Karacsony for stepping in to co-organize the event under the auspices of the capital municipality, according a statement published on Wednesday.
—Thomas Escritt, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 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
-
The ball was bundled into the net at the far post and the visiting supporters went wild.—
Graham Scott,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The tourists were part of a larger group of about 150 people visiting the area, officials said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the nefarious Red Ribbon Army mounts a comeback, Piccolo and Gohan are the only fighters standing in its way.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The four of us, at 4 in the morning, standing in the subway station.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet Potter never considered substituting him.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The court found the authority had exceeded its authority by substituting its view of the public interest for that of the state Legislature.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Documentarian Tim Gray has found AI useful in filling in the visual gaps in his World War II films, and Rhode Island courts are using facial recognition and AI to monitor people, raising civil liberties concerns about how the data collected is being used.—
Kathleen Hill,
The Providence Journal,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Tampa Bay is 0-4 in the four starts made by pitchers filling in for the rotation.—
John Romano,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
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
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With it, new media began taking over the arts’ function of representing reality.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In Hillsborough, kids were coming over the back fence all the time.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Bobby McMann, who leads Seattle in goals and points since coming over in a deadline trade with Toronto — seven goals, four assists in eight games — had his goal scoring streak stopped at three games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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 12 Apr. 2026.
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