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
April was stepping in for CJ Robbins, who was promoted to Minnesota’s defensive line coach.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Across Philadelphia, residents say progress is happening in different ways — sometimes through city crews and sometimes through neighbors stepping in to help one another.
—Eva Andersen, CBS News, 4 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
The singer also missed one episode of The Voice in August after her ex-husband's death, with fellow American Idol vet Jennifer Hudson stepping in as a temporary coach for season 29.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 2026
Across Philadelphia, residents say progress is happening in different ways — sometimes through city crews and sometimes through neighbors stepping in to help one another.
—Eva Andersen, CBS News, 4 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
The singer also missed one episode of The Voice in August after her ex-husband's death, with fellow American Idol vet Jennifer Hudson stepping in as a temporary coach for season 29.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
-
The biggest benefits appeared to come from reading, writing, visiting the library, and playing board games in midlife and later life, and learning a foreign language in childhood.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
At the time, the couple was visiting friends in Fayetteville and fell in love with the area.—
Yolanda Harris,
AJC.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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John Voorhies, a Tucsonian of sixty-two years, was standing in front of Guthrie’s home, watching the activity.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Young Rod went off to France by himself, and on a visit to Chartres, standing in the nave of the cathedral, he was overcome by a vague but powerful sense that God was real.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Critics such as economist Jeffrey Sachs have warned that the NSS is grounded in grandiosity and Machiavellianism, substituting coercion for cooperation and dominance for legitimacy.—
Alejandro Reyes,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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Williams was the only starter to play more than 25 minutes as the Aztecs began substituting liberally after just 11 minutes, jumping out to a 32-12 lead thanks to an 18-0 run.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Abdullah had been filling in for another doctor that day.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
This is Andrea Riquier filling in on The Daily Money.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There are four running in the GOP primary.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
With this model, new entrants can get production up and running in an interim facility in as little as three months and move into a more permanent facility within a year.—
SJ Studio,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
How to Stop Them Prevent grubs from taking over your yard this spring by adjusting your watering schedule.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
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When taking over Credit Suisse, UBS fully committed to getting the investigation back on track and has since taken extensive steps to facilitate Barofsky’s review, Karofsky said.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Veteran infielder Urshela, 34, played for the Twins in 2022, coming over in the trade that sent Josh Donaldson to the New York Yankees.—
Betsy Helfand,
Twin Cities,
9 Feb. 2026
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Sexton, one of the seven new players who took the court Saturday, scored 17 points in his debut after coming over from the Charlotte Hornets in the Coby White trade.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When playing within their own half, United adjust into a 5-4-1 with the No 10s dropping in to better protect central midfield.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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