1
as in to visit
to make a brief visit
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to substitute
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 step in
Party insiders have been pressing Newsom to step in — either to consolidate support behind a credible contender or at least impose some order.
—
Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
Guerra Sandoval went into a USCIS office in December to have her fingerprints taken as a standard next step in her application.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Soon, Von, wearing a denim shirt, jeans and straw cowboy hat, walked on stage to step in for Riley Green’s verse.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Bernard could step in as a rookie and find playing time in Week 1.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step in
Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026
Guerra Sandoval went into a USCIS office in December to have her fingerprints taken as a standard next step in her application.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
Soon, Von, wearing a denim shirt, jeans and straw cowboy hat, walked on stage to step in for Riley Green’s verse.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
Bernard could step in as a rookie and find playing time in Week 1.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for step in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step in
Verb
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After a brief check from Boone and a trainer, Stanton left the field and headed straight for the visiting clubhouse at Daikin Park.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Late in the first half, the senior midfielder ripped in a free kick from 35 yards to help visiting Providence earn a 1-1 tie against crosstown rival Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These changes were to be achieved by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the consumption of meat and eggs, and substituting nonfat milk for whole milk.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Airelles Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez will be filmed as the White Lotus du Cap, and the historic Hotel Martinez on the Croisette in Cannes will stand in as the White Lotus Cannes.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
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In January, after his surprising decision to fire Harbaugh, Bisciotti stood in the line of fire, owning the decision during a lengthy press conference that, because of the owner’s candor, was largely well received.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s also a long story, which Hokum eventually gets around to filling in the blanks.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Budget material fills in some gaps.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Sox evened the score with two runs in the eighth.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Padres’ only run in the first six innings came on a home run by Ty France in the fifth off Brandon Pfaadt, who had taken over for starter Zac Gallen, who departed following the third inning after being hit in his throwing shoulder by a line drive.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plenty of Sellers’ struggles could be pinned on offensive play calling and a lack of polished talent around him.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The plan, conveyed through mediators in Pakistan to break a stalemate with Washington, calls for extending the ceasefire so the parties can work toward a permanent end to the fighting, Axios said.—
Jon Herskovitz,
Bloomberg,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20in. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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