as in substitute
a person or thing that takes the place of another
I'm just a fill-in, so I have no idea where office supplies are kept
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to inform
to give information to
my friend quickly filled me in on the portion of the movie that I had missed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
she's only filling in while the regular secretary is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fill-in
Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Griffin’s empty spot at the table has been filled by a string of conservative-leaning guest hosts such as Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Abby Huntsman (both previous View regulars), Savannah Chrisley, Amanda Carpenter, Sheryl Underwood and this week’s fill-in Whitney Cummings.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Michelle Buteau came out to fill in.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Noun
Last word Gabby Lucivero, first woman to be named Connecticut Sportscaster of the Year, is leaving NBC CT after eight years to join ESPN radio as a fill-in host.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Griffin’s empty spot at the table has been filled by a string of conservative-leaning guest hosts such as Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Abby Huntsman (both previous View regulars), Savannah Chrisley, Amanda Carpenter, Sheryl Underwood and this week’s fill-in Whitney Cummings.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Some are quick bloomers that fill in fast, while others — like daffodils and tulips — are planted earlier in the season and reward you with the first real signs of life in the yard.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
Michelle Buteau came out to fill in.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for fill-in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fill-in
Noun
-
In the 65th minute, second-half substitute Pablo miscontrolled El Hadji Malick Diouf’s quick throw-in.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
-
Basic income cash transfers are not a good substitute for basic services in a social support system.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Instead, inform the bank of your plans now to avoid having your funds get locked into a less profitable account.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
-
We were informed pretty quickly when each issue occurred.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Messi stood in the midfield looking equally confused and irritated with his hands on his hips, looking over at the North stands, where La Familia was chanting.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
The series will include guests such as Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman who waived her right to anonymity in one of the most horrifying rape cases in history to stand in solidarity with fellow victims.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Evacuated voters who do not have their vote-by-mail ballot can request a replacement at any of the remaining 38 vote centers that will open Saturday as scheduled.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
24 May 2026
-
If Muncy is going to be out of action for at least some time, the Dodgers have a replacement on the way.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Homeless services workers were communicating with unhoused people near the river to tell them about the spill and to offer services, according to the statement.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
Sources familiar with the talks tell CBS News that the latest proposal to end the war, which is now in its 13th week, includes a process to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the unfreezing of some Iranian assets held in foreign banks, and a continuation of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
There are a few possibilities for non-gopher holes, including the Norway rat, voles, moles, rabbits, ground squirrels and snakes, which don’t dig their own underground burrows but take over old tunnels and improve upon them.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
18 May 2026
-
Szabo took over day-to-day operations at the company in 2016 when her father became ill, the website said.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Specifically, Sosa Cardona fabricated foreign law enforcement reports and other documents as false backup for his clients' asylum claims, prosecutors said.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
-
This matchup becomes even more juicy in 2026, with former Broncos defensive staffer Jim Leonhard now in Buffalo as the Bills’ defensive coordinator and dueling with new Broncos play-caller Davis Webb, a former Bills backup quarterback.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
It's advised for those with respiratory or heart-related issues to limit outdoor activity this afternoon.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
-
Any pair of scissors with a blade over four inches is restricted, advises the TSA spokesperson.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fill-in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fill-in. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
