1
as in visited
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 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
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Recent Examples of stepped in
Hat tips go to left tackle Jaylon Moore — who stepped in for Josh Simmons at the last minute, against one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the league — and, of course, Kelce.
—
Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Austin Schlottman stepped in and the line didn’t miss a beat.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Sikhs for Justice, an activist group, stepped in to cover funeral costs and pledged $100,000 in humanitarian aid for the victims’ families.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Her father's older siblings stepped in to take care of Nichols' birth siblings, while her grandmother and another aunt were entrusted with her care.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
However, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass and looked for Jaylen Waddle when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of the pass and picked him off.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Colby stepped in for Bartch 10 snaps into the New Orleans game and finished with a clean sheet.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Then the Fed stepped in with a bold half-point rate cut to stave off further weakening.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Where the official response to this tragedy was lacking, the Burning Man community stepped in to fill the gap.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
Austin Schlottman stepped in and the line didn’t miss a beat.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Sikhs for Justice, an activist group, stepped in to cover funeral costs and pledged $100,000 in humanitarian aid for the victims’ families.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
Her father's older siblings stepped in to take care of Nichols' birth siblings, while her grandmother and another aunt were entrusted with her care.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
However, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass and looked for Jaylen Waddle when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of the pass and picked him off.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Colby stepped in for Bartch 10 snaps into the New Orleans game and finished with a clean sheet.
—Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Then the Fed stepped in with a bold half-point rate cut to stave off further weakening.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Where the official response to this tragedy was lacking, the Burning Man community stepped in to fill the gap.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in
Verb
-
At first, Ambere visited me often.—
Joe Garcia,
New Yorker,
12 Oct. 2025
-
In July this year, CNN visited the Oklahoma academy where controllers are trained.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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No substitutions for prize except by Sponsor, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The midfielder started his side’s World Cup qualifying win against Venezuela on Saturday morning before being substituted for Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in the 78th minute.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There, two fathers – one waiting on his son’s remains; another expecting his son’s embrace, stood in a uniquely Israeli moment of paradox, suspended between grief and joy.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
-
As Jays fans, tucked in the last rows of the upper bowl, stood in anticipation, Yesavage reached up to them with his high release point and sent splitters, fastballs and sliders by the Yankees.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The third installment from Simone Rocha and Crocs dropped in April, with that release introducing the Fisherman Stomp Sandal and offering new colors of the Siren style as well.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The collection also includes the two brands’ Birthday Cake release, which dropped in September in honor of Bath & Body Works’ 35th anniversary.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At this rate, the entire lake could be filled in less than 350 years.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Johnson sought to tamp down the criticism from Greene at the time, saying she simply hadn’t been filled in, as those discussions take place in specific committees.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Glasner took over at Palace in February 2024 when the London side were 15th in the Premier League and had lost 10 of their last 17 matches.—
Luke Bosher,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Canes force another turnover After FSU took over a drive at midfield, the Hurricanes got the ball right back.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Adoptions for senior dogs also dropped by 2 percent in 2025, while adoptions for large dogs fell by 9 percent.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
-
On Thursday night, the second part of the three-part reunion, the room was still reeling from the bombshell dropped by Julia Lemigova, who is married to tennis star Martina Navratilova.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The 49ers ran that play with just 10 defenders, and the Buccaneers ran in the direction of the absent defensive end.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
-
One play later, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence ran in for a one-yard touchdown.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stepped in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stepped%20in. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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