step in

verb

Definition of step innext
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

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 step in Lynn’s surrogate daughter, FBI Agent Saga Bauer (Zazie Beetz), steps in the fray, upping the stakes. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Those negotiations failed, and the federal government had to step in with its own. — Alex Hager, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026 Train frontman Pat Monahan stepped in to help before Bon Jovi made the decision to end the show. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 The Broncos won just two games as defensive coordinator and interim head coach Tom Mason stepped in for Pokey Allen, who underwent surgery for an aggressive muscle cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), before the season started. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for step in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step in
  1. visit
  2. substitute
  3. run in
  4. stand in
  5. call
  6. fill in
Verb
  • Bret decides to visit Matt’s father, who is surprisingly wistful about his missing son and their fractured relationship.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The Sussexes also visited Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, at the Spencer family ancestral home, Althorp, in Northamptonshire.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • Second, board and management experience has to match the product the bank intends to underwrite, and general financial services expertise will not substitute for the specific asset class at issue.
    — AJ Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sayes is a Diamond Crystal salt user and has had vendors substitute it for a house brand.
    — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • As the graphic below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable running in-behind down the channels and sending in crosses, as well as beating his defender and cutting balls back for team-mates.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Ya Lily’s content ran in nearly 109,541 Temu ad campaigns in that period, the data show.
    — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of run in
Verb
  • It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Seven dogs surrounded and attacked a Charlotte woman standing in her yard, and three additional people were hurt while trying to help her, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stand in
Verb
  • Autumn Joy Stonecrop Also called autumn joy sedum, this hardy, summer- and fall-flowering perennial is known for its succulent foliage and dense clusters of tiny pink flowers.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Cyberdyne Hybrid Assistive Limb, commonly called HAL, is a robotic exoskeleton designed to support patients during rehabilitation.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of call
Verb
  • The recovery took him out of commission from the 2020 season of AGT, with guest judges filling in.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • On the 582nd Sporticast episode, Kurt Badenhausen and Jacob Feldman fill in for Scott and Eben to break down several recent changes atop sports organizations.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fill in

Browse Nearby Words

stepfathers
step in
step into
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Step in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20in. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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