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 Tarantino wrote the script for Cliff Booth, with David Fincher stepping in to direct this time around. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026 Subsequently, Jones stepped in against Texas last week, and while 155 yards won’t jump off the page, two touchdowns beside and zero turnovers will. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 Amid this turbulence, Indonesia's sovereign wealth fund stepped in to stabilize the market. — CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Whenever Rhys Harries’ Clayface transforms into a different person, another performer simply steps in. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 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
  • The soldiers, aviation technicians with the Salvandoran army, were victims of a gang ambush on Sunday in the Santo area of Croix-des-Bouquets, east of Port-au-Prince, while on their way back to camp after visiting a local supermarket.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Harry and Meghan, who remain private citizens and not working royals, made their first joint public appearance last week in Nottingham, visiting community organizations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of visit
Verb
  • Instead, Brammall and Dyer came close to substituting Colin with an elderly lady, before reverting to their original premise.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Both varieties of balsamic are tricky to substitute because their sweetness is as important as their acidity.
    — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of substitute
Verb
  • Soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski held the Rays to just one run in his five innings, but certainly not without the help of some Rays baserunning blunders.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Each game runs with two sets of graphics settings at each resolution, for up to four runs in total.
    — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of run in
Verb
  • Identity and isolation are the walls; authorization is the lock on the door the agent is standing in front of.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • And that’s why the CDC includes a 30-second chair stand in its fall-risk assessment.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of stand in
Verb
  • Allen drained it to extend Charlotte’s lead to 20, and then found Dennis Schröder for a high-five as Miami called a timeout.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Later, however, a faithful replica, also called the Atlantic, was built.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of call
Verb
  • Sherman, Maine — Behind the steering wheel of his silver pickup, Scott Bates fills in the blanks with numbers.
    — Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • After Moore suffered a concussion against the Los Angeles Chargers, Ezeudu came on to fill in at right tackle for the rest of the game.
    — Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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