1
as in visited
to make a brief visit
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in substituted
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
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 stepped in
Savannah Guthrie has been in the seat since 2012 and reported alongside Hoda Kotb for seven years before Craig Melvin stepped in following Kotb’s departure in 2025.
—
Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Denver artist Reed Weimer and a group of like-minded friends stepped in, purchasing the property in 2016.
—Kevin Strong, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
As the stock sold off, big money stepped in.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Fast forward to the eighth inning when Willy Adames stepped in the box to face the Reds’ Connor Phillips.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the 1990s, as Eastern European countries emerged from communism, Americans stepped in to help build not only free markets, but also antitrust agencies that looked something like our DOJ Antitrust Division.
—Gail Slater, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
When the show returned, Guthrie was gone, and co-anchor Hoda Kotb stepped in to interview Hathaway about her upcoming movies, Mother Mary and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 16 Apr. 2026
When the opposition sought to hang posters on lampposts and utility poles, the government, invoking concerns about road safety, at one point stepped in to outlaw the practice.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Following his successful year, Ryan Castro has now stepped in as a creative director for Agua Bendita, fully co-creating and shaping everything from the design to the campaign.
—Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026
Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
Denver artist Reed Weimer and a group of like-minded friends stepped in, purchasing the property in 2016.
—Kevin Strong, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
As the stock sold off, big money stepped in.
—Jay Woods, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Fast forward to the eighth inning when Willy Adames stepped in the box to face the Reds’ Connor Phillips.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the 1990s, as Eastern European countries emerged from communism, Americans stepped in to help build not only free markets, but also antitrust agencies that looked something like our DOJ Antitrust Division.
—Gail Slater, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2026
When the show returned, Guthrie was gone, and co-anchor Hoda Kotb stepped in to interview Hathaway about her upcoming movies, Mother Mary and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
—Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 16 Apr. 2026
When the opposition sought to hang posters on lampposts and utility poles, the government, invoking concerns about road safety, at one point stepped in to outlaw the practice.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
Following his successful year, Ryan Castro has now stepped in as a creative director for Agua Bendita, fully co-creating and shaping everything from the design to the campaign.
—Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
In 1933, a writer for this magazine visited Saliger and reviewed letters from satisfied customers.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
Finley Stevens, a third-year student at the University of Rhode Island who visited Montréal over his spring break, noted that many of the bars his group visited were packed with college students, many from the University of Rhode Island as well.—
Megan Wallitsch,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Nuno substituted the forward in the 52nd minute with West Ham later blowing their 2-0 lead and having to settle for a point.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Prizes may not be substituted for or redeemed for cash.—
CBS LA Staff,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Such screens would have stood in a palace hall, behind the main seat in a room, or in a courtyard as a backdrop for a ceremonial event.—
Lori Waxman,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
For decades, older adults have stood in long lines to buy food or medicine.—
Sarah Moreno
Updated April 29,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Be careful to check if USPS staff is stamping mail after hours, otherwise, any postage dropped in the evening will be stamped April 16.—
Samantha Gowen,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The only first round Game 1 Minnesota has dropped in the Anthony Edwards-Chris Finch era came in 2023, when the Wolves played in Denver just two days after advancing through the play in.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Mia Arguelles, who typically plays midfielder, filled in at goalkeeper due to injuries and made two saves for Andrew (7-6-1, 3-2).—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The rest was filled in by Susan’s vampire-next-door vocal performance and wistful instrumentation.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plus this would be a combination of two successful railroads instead of many deals of the past where one thriving railroad took over another nearly bankrupt one in disrepair.—
Josh Funk,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In 2005, the Voštiar family took over the Prague hotel, and the Budapest Aria stayed with the Library Collection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Walmart passes Berkshire in market value Over the past year, shares of Walmart have soared by more than 35% while both classes of Berkshire have dropped by almost 12%.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Durango saw a 35% rise in March sales, propelled by strong inventory and modest price gains, while inventory in Aurora and Centennial dropped by up to 45% in some zip codes, and prices softened by 1% to 8%.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ken’s parents also influenced how rinks were ran in the area, the two said.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Reed ran in junior high, then fell in love with the sport again while living in New York City, where her run club convinced her to run the New York Marathon in 2010.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
