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
Jonathan Groff was the original star of a production that had many top-tier talents stepping in at different phases of the production’s elaborate run.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Robertson grounds both versions of Niall in a sad-eyed misery, with Bell stepping in and giving the character grace notes of humor that don’t always seem to fit the story.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Body camera video shows Padilla immediately stepping in to help.
—Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Anthony Volpe Suffered a Shoulder Injury Volpe was missing from the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in March 2026, with José Caballero stepping in as the starting shortstop.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
The stock successfully bounced off the $45 level, suggesting buyers are stepping in following the recent sell-off.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Clearly, American is happy that the FAA is stepping in to intervene.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
April was stepping in for CJ Robbins, who was promoted to Minnesota’s defensive line coach.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 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
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Robertson grounds both versions of Niall in a sad-eyed misery, with Bell stepping in and giving the character grace notes of humor that don’t always seem to fit the story.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2026
Body camera video shows Padilla immediately stepping in to help.
—Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Anthony Volpe Suffered a Shoulder Injury Volpe was missing from the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in March 2026, with José Caballero stepping in as the starting shortstop.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
The stock successfully bounced off the $45 level, suggesting buyers are stepping in following the recent sell-off.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
Clearly, American is happy that the FAA is stepping in to intervene.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
April was stepping in for CJ Robbins, who was promoted to Minnesota’s defensive line coach.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 11 Feb. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepping in
Verb
-
If pedestrians and park users stop using the sidewalks or visiting the park altogether, then the park fails to deliver on its mission of fostering recreation.—
Jeremy Wolff,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
The footage shows Cole Tomas Allen, 31, walking through the hotel on April 24 and visiting areas including the gym, where he is seen speaking with a woman at the front desk.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Totoro standing in profile against a bright cerulean backdrop.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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For fans who have spent years studying every frame of a music video, standing in those exact spots is the kind of moment that scrolls across your feed and stops everyone else, too.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Farke responded by substituting Bijol for Joe Rodon, who was much more confident in carrying the ball forward, and James Justin for Stach.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Here opposites — classy and brassy — are distractions, with odd-couple joking substituting for something more substantial.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Saturday, conditions look mainly dry to start, with rain filling in by the afternoon hours.—
Matthew Villafane,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The whole neighborhood is compact and walkable, with patios, cafés, and seasonal events like Yorkville Murals filling in the gaps.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Four Republicans are also running in Tuesday's primary, but a Republican hasn't won in the district since 2010.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Miller, who has held the seat since 2018, chose not to seek reelection in favor of running in the crowded 2nd Congressional District race.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those who aren’t taking over the whole place and enjoy more of a scene can flit over in the island’s speedboat to neighboring Hurawalhi, with its buzzy bar, big gym, and underwater restaurant.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Thomson led Philadelphia to the 2022 World Series after taking over for Girardi, losing to the Houston Astros in six games.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These small habits take only a minute or two and save you from facing a major cleaning job every time company is coming over.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Apr. 2026
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He will be joined by another former Spartan, with Melvin Strahl, a 6-foot-3 Swede who will be a sophomore eligibility-wise, reportedly coming over from East Lansing.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Home values are dropping in some markets One big factor to note before tapping your equity right now is that home values are falling in many areas.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Reports of passenger assaults began dropping in 2025, although not enough data has been released for last year to compute complete, comparable rates among the systems.—
Talia Soglin,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stepping in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepping%20in. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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