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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
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If Frieze is the amuse bouche for someone visiting New York during its busiest art week of the year, the span of galleries that dot Chelsea is the entrée.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
-
The retailer’s Spark drivers walked out with shopping carts loaded with milk, juice, breakfast cereal and paper towels, FT reported after visiting the site.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Three out of the four teams still standing in the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament are Big West Conference teams.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
8 May 2026
-
Totoro standing in profile against a bright cerulean backdrop.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The problem of companies substituting hemp for marijuana dates to 2018, when Congress legalized hemp, a close cousin of marijuana that has only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that makes people high.—
Christopher Osher,
ProPublica,
15 May 2026
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The restaurant also has vegan versions of many of its most popular menu items, substituting meat for falafel and its aioli and tzatziki sauces with lemon-herb tahini dressing.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Verb
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The recent images also reveal layers of Mars' complex geological past across the region, suggesting Shalbatana Vallis may once have been even deeper before gradually filling in with sediments, ash and other material over time.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
15 May 2026
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To mark Women’s Health Month, Flow Space caught up with the CEOs of several companies that are making waves for filling in key gaps in routine screenings and diagnostics.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
In a May 5 Facebook post, officials in Saône-et-Loire, France, shared a video of a deer haphazardly running in circles around a field in what appeared to be an intoxicated state.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
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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
Verb
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The county is taking over day-to-day oversight of the initiative from United Way.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
-
Sue Nabi left Coty in December 2025, with Markus Strobel taking over as interim CEO this January.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Michela Cava got the winner, her first with the Charge since coming over from Vancouver in a six-player deal back in January.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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The Hive marks the expansion’s second of seven phases coming over the next 10 to 15 years, Watts said.—
Rose Evans
Updated May 8,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Why aren't prices dropping in response?—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
-
The 76ers were content to turn him into the shooter, leaving Embiid on him while still dropping in pick-and-roll coverage.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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