FILLING (IN) Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

filling in

verb

present participle of fill in

as in informing

to give information to my friend quickly filled me in on the portion of the movie that I had missed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in standing in

to serve as a replacement usually for a time only she's only filling in while the regular secretary is on vacation

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 filling in Jelly Roll shared his thoughts on Dolly Parton while filling in as guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 Is Barron capable of filling in if Patrick Surtain II or Moss miss time, which has happened each of the last two seasons? — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 The comedian, who is filling in for vacationing host Jimmy Kimmel, reflected back on her stint from 1996-2002 on her own talk show, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, in her first monologue of the week. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 I'mPhaedra Trethan, grateful to Rebecca Morin and Natalie Neysa Alund for filling in during my week off. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 After practice, pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier — filling in with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy away from the team — said the plays were designed to emphasize the strengths of the team’s new personnel. — Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026 Charlie Heck, who has been filling in for Austin Jackson as Miami’s starting right tackle, had a respectable day Tuesday. — Omar Kelly august 4, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 The announcement builds on plans first revealed at the network's Upfronts in May, filling in details on nominees and a broader festival concept reshaping the franchise. — Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 On Monday, Savannah and her co-anchor, Craig Melvin, were both out, with Sheinelle Jones and Hallie Jackson filling in. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for filling in

Verb

Coach Todd Monken made the announcement Monday after informing Watson and Sanders.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
In December 2024, the FBI issued a notice to sports leagues informing teams and players of recent burglaries targeting professional athletes, CBS Sports reported.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of informing

Verb

Kronengold and Shaw decided to have some fun with Rao by telling the cast that Amita would have to spend several weekends alone in her trailer with the opossum.

— Emily Gould, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
But away from the sporting arena, the five-day games reveal something telling about why China's winning this technology race.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of telling

Verb

His character Ned Schneebly was supposed to be substituting — until Dewey impersonated him and stepped in.

— Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Like the Republican critics of resistance politics, progressive ones depicted it as substituting legal tactics for electoral victories.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of substituting

Verb

The councilmember then called out Bass for working with a communications consultant who was simultaneously advising her and Lineage, the company whose warehouse burned in Boyle Heights in June.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Crossing guards are advising students on e-bikes who were unaware of the new rule to check in at the office.

— Michele Gile, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of advising

Verb

Whenever either of them is absent, Estevao is very capable of stepping in.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Now, the Gates Foundation is stepping in to help fund scientific research through an historic $540 million gift to The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an independent research organization at the University of Washington.

— Sydney Lake, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of stepping in

Verb

Nesta has defended the staffing budget as a matter of catching up on the city’s needs after leaving positions vacant for too long and shifting those responsibilities to existing employees.

— Brian Bell, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
The data appear to show Miller’s troubles catching up to him.

— Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of catching up

Verb

Many believe that the dynamic duo taking over the reins have the energy and training to take the company into the future.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Geer worked regularly in regional theater for decades before taking over the role of Zeb from Edgar Bergen, who originated the role in The Homecoming.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of taking over

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filling

filling in

filling (out)

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“Filling in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/filling%20in. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of filling in

verb

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