Thesaurus results for STEPPED IN

stepped in

verb

past tense of step in

as in visited

to make a brief visit I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 His oldest sister stepped in, made his meals and went to school and doctor appointments with him. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 The Huskers were down 23-14 midway through the second quarter when McDougle stepped in front of Washington’s pass intended for Kaleb Webb and ran it back all the way for Nebraska’s longest pick-6 since 2007. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 Impact players Indiana RB Lee Beebe stepped in for an injured Turbo Richard and rushed for 203 yards against Northwestern. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026 Kam Moore stepped in at linebacker for Robert Stephens III, who went down with a lower leg injury in the first half. — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026 Backup quarterback Zach Marker stepped in to finish the second half. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026 Even when right tackle Drew Terrill went out early in the Cougars’ Saturday win over Oregon State, Ronnell McLain stepped in and performed well. — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Svorobic and dozens of others stepped in to help their neighbors and add more protection to their homes. — Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 The Huskies tacked on another touchdown when Wyatt Hatfield stepped in front of a Lowery pass and returned his interception 36 yards for a touchdown to provide the final margin. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for stepped in

Verb

Merz and Zelenskyy visited a building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in central Kyiv that was damaged in a Russian attack that killed two people on Monday, as air raid sirens sounded across the capital.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
But the specialness of the event wasn’t confined only to the Sphere, as fans visited Metallica’s many experiences.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of visited

Verb

Wilson’s work in music includes the albums Sound of a Woman, released earlier this year (a deluxe version dropped in September); AM/FM; Rita Wilson; Bigger Picture, and Halfway to Home.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026
Marketplace enrollment dropped in every state except New Mexico this year, according to KFF.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of dropped in

Verb

On Tuesday, after returning from meetings in the United Arab Emirates, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in front of an F-15 fighter jet and made a video warning that there might soon be an attack against Israel.

— Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
This week, the department was told money allocated years ago for renovations at Kadema Hall — named after a Native American village that once stood in its place — was being pulled.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of stood in

Verb

Allen was dropped by his record label after a series of lawsuits were filed against him a few years ago (one was eventually dropped), but has quietly attempted a comeback, releasing a string of new songs and covers.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026
By comparison, just 9% of homeowners nationwide who changed insurers over the last five years said they were dropped by their insurer, according to a 2025 Consumer Reports survey.

— Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of dropped by

Verb

An only child in a home filled in equal parts by silence and books, Laura was grateful for a friend.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Over the years, several high-profile fests struggled to stay afloat with consistently strong slates, and dozens of niche festivals filled in the gaps to serve the city’s diverse filmgoers.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of filled in

Verb

Che cited an Associated Press report that Paxton, the Texas attorney general since 2015, took over 275 out-of-state trips while in office.

— William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
Strada took over the Department of Correction in January 2023 after serving as deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections Rehabilitation & Reentry.

— Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026