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
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
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
-
Pace put different people through the paces of different things on different equipment and surfaces, ranging from some beginner movements to some rather acrobatic moves by a woman visiting from South Korea that looked a lot like gymnastics.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Along with visiting Machu Picchu, families can go horseback riding, mountain biking, paragliding, and more.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Visitors are surprised at first seeing even one sculpture appear out of nowhere standing in the river.—
Jeanine Barone,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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This year, Huntsinger wants to avoid the scheduling snafus that led so many loyal badge holders ($780 each) standing in line for hours without seeing the big films.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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When making the switch to a plant-forward diet, Moon advised easing into it with small changes such as adding leafy greens to smoothies, using tofu in a grain bowl, and substituting animal fats for olive oil.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
27 Aug. 2025
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The value is not in substituting one expert for another, or in outsourcing fully to the machine, or indeed in presuming the human expertise will always be superior, but in leveraging human and rapidly-evolving machine capabilities to achieve best results.—
David Autor,
The Atlantic,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The Steelers wouldn’t have even been in position for that last touchdown pass if not for a brutal error by Xavier Gipson, filling in at kick returner after Kene Nwangwu left with an injury.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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In 2011, the adjustment was mostly about filling in gaps left by missing coworkers.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Civil charges have also been filed against Packer, including dogs running in a pack and vicious dog, the spokesperson said.—
Jessie DiMartino,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
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Now, as part of the House settlement, all third-party NIL deals over $600 are subject to review and approval by NIL Go, a portal the new College Sports Commission is running in conjunction with the accounting firm Deloitte.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Coach Kellen Moore enters his first year in the head job with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough taking over after former quarterback Derek Carr abruptly retired in the offseason.—
David Wilson,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
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We were blown away by the divas taking over pop radio, including Whitney, Mariah, and Celine — VH1 even dedicated a concert series to them.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Christmas Eve is her favorite day of the year, but she’s just been informed that her adult children won’t be coming over tonight because her ex-husband has decided to throw an impromptu wedding reception after his impromptu courthouse wedding with his second wife.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
4 Sep. 2025
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Analysts see upward earnings revision coming over next few quarters as the company's turnaround efforts take hold under new CEO Kecia Steelman.—
Jeff Marks,Zev Fima,
CNBC,
22 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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